When can I move energy supplier?

kjs31

I complete my purchase on Friday and already know that I want to switch energy supplier. Current owners are with EON. What do I need to start the switch? A bill from EON or just the MPAN reference? I was hoping to start the switch pretty much as soon as I complete but not sure if that’s possible. 

BarelySentientAI

The address and a meter reading.  Start the switch on Friday evening if you want.

You should really get in touch with E.ON to set up an account with them for usage after the previous occupant left but before you switched, however small an amount that is, but some of the suppliers you might want to switch to claim to look after that bit for you.

Officially, the process should be

1. Set up an account with the incumbent supplier (E.ON in this case) and give them an opening reading.
2. Contact another supplier to start a switch.
3. Give the new supplier an opening reading when they ask for one.

TheJP

30 days from when you start the switch.

kjs31

TheJP said:

30 days from when you start the switch.

Thanks. It’s the date that I can start the switch that I’m interested in. I know it takes a while to complete it. 

BarelySentientAI

kjs31 said:

TheJP said:

30 days from when you start the switch.

Thanks. It’s the date that I can start the switch that I’m interested in. I know it takes a while to complete it. 

It's not 30 days any more either - it's more usually around 5.

That's why you have to have the account with the incumbent, because there will be those few days to pay for.

sheramber

When I sold my house, as soon as the sale was final , my energy company advised that a change of supplier had been requested. This was before I had moved out but would not be effective until after I had moved out, due to the time lag.

At that time it was 2 weeks.

Brie

Don't forget to take meter readings when you move in - preferably with photos that are date stamped so there's no confusion on your first and last bill!

kjs31

sheramber said:

When I sold my house, as soon as the sale was final , my energy company advised that a change of supplier had been requested. This was before I had moved out but would not be effective until after I had moved out, due to the time lag.

At that time it was 2 weeks.

That’s interesting as I read somewhere that I couldn’t initiate the switch until completion and we exchanged nearly 4 weeks ago. But no matter I will start the process on Friday. 

kjs31

Brie said:

Don't forget to take meter readings when you move in - preferably with photos that are date stamped so there's no confusion on your first and last bill!

Yep, on my list of things to do on Friday! I’m not moving in for another week so the energy use during the first week should be negligible. 

peterhjohnson

kjs31 said:

That’s interesting as I read somewhere that I couldn’t initiate the switch until completion and we exchanged nearly 4 weeks ago. But no matter I will start the process on Friday. 

I'm not sure it's actually illegal to switch in anticipation of completion, but I can see ways it could go wrong. EG, the seller could end up being switched. I'd wait until I was actually in possession of the house before doing anything.