Direct Debit change refusal

Pingu1525

Hello, I was just wondering whether energy companies are allowed to refuse a request for a lower direct debit? I have been paying £250 per month over winter and my balance is currently zero. I do not want to continue to pay that amount as my usage now it’s summer is about £80 per month according to my smart meter. I don’t wish to overpay and build up credit for winter as I am moving house in August. The energy company are being difficult. Have they got a right to do this?! I basically want a direct debit for the next three months that reflects what I will use in these three months. Thank you.

MikeJXE

Change to variable direct debit monthly

That way you pay for exactly what you use

Small bills in summer and larger one in winter 

victor2

Pingu1525 said:

Hello, I was just wondering whether energy companies are allowed to refuse a request for a lower direct debit? I have been paying £250 per month over winter and my balance is currently zero. I do not want to continue to pay that amount as my usage now it’s summer is about £80 per month according to my smart meter. I don’t wish to overpay and build up credit for winter as I am moving house in August. The energy company are being difficult. Have they got a right to do this?! I basically want a direct debit for the next three months that reflects what I will use in these three months. Thank you.

Name the supplier.
As @MikeJXE says, change to variable monthly DD, although not all suppliers offer that.
Alternatively, switch away. Octopus are the flavour of the month presently, and I know they do offer variable DD payment.

TheMilkmansDad

The energy company can not factor in that you will not be at that property for the full 12 month cycle and therefore have to set your DD at the amount to cover the annual expected 12 month period.

As above, if your supplier offers variable monthly DD then switch to that. Very little point in changing supplier for 3 months.

Assuming all billing is up to date, then when you move out and supply the relevant details to the supplier the refund of any overpayment should be seamless. (Obviously some suppliers have "below expectations" when it comes to this - but not all).


*edited for spelling

[Deleted User]

Hi @Pingu1525 - if you have a smart meter they can read a switch to Octopus is ridiculously simple and they will allow you to pay just for what you use. I know because I've just done it - I made the request online early on Thursday 4th May and was with Octopus on their SVR on Saturday 6th May. I wanted the Agile tariff and that came into effect on Sunday 7th May. And if you know someone on Octopus they can give you a referral code which will give you £50 off your bill (and they get £50 off their's too). Once I had initiated the switch I got an "is there anything we can do to help" email which I replied to saying I wanted to pay the whole amount monthly and they set that up for me straight away without hassle.

EDIT: as an afterthought, if you're with EDF then it's every bit as easy to change to Direct Debit Whole Amount Monthly where you only pay them what you owe them. Just ask for it via their online webchat. Again, I know this is easy because I did it.

dunstonh

EDIT: as an afterthought, if you're with EDF then it's every bit as easy to change to Direct Debit Whole Amount Monthly where you only pay them what you owe them. Just ask for it via their online webchat. Again, I know this is easy because I did it.

I just logged into my EDF account and there is a button that allows you to do it online.   I

Pingu1525

Thanks everyone. I am with UW and have a package with them with internet, mobile and insurance….I will look into your suggestions and speak to them again.

macman

If you have a bundle with UW then you need to look at the t and c's in as much as they relate to the situation where you need to port some of the services to another property (gas, electricity and internet, in this instance). When does your fixed bundle expire (different services may have different minimum terms)?