British Gas Exit Fees

BlueWalls10

We moved last summer and advised the existing supplier in new place, British Gas, that we had moved in. They set up accounts and we gave initial readings. All fine until last month when we tried switching to a fixed rate with another supplier and got our final bill from British Gas which has two exit fees of 100 pounds for each energy account. We were confused by this as we had understood that we would be on the standard variable price cap rate, as no suppliers were offering fixed rates below the price cap when we moved. Upon close examination of my energy bill, realised they had put us on a fixed rate slightly above the price cap called 'Moving Home Exclusive Sep24'.

Feel like this was pretty underhand behaviour by British Gas. We are certain they never asked us if we would like to be on the standard variable or fixed, they just defaulted us to a fixed. Do we have a leg to stand on here or is it just tough luck?

Brie

You could certainly try to complain to them about how the account was handled but it may be very hard to prove anything.  That said they "should" have a recording of your call last summer.

Aylesbury_Duck

As above, the call record may help here but presumably the contract you e-signed and all the bills and correspondence over the last year stated what tariff you are on?

Hoenir

BlueWalls10 said:

Upon close examination of my energy bill, realised they had put us on a fixed rate slightly above the price cap called 'Moving Home Exclusive Sep24'.

One of you must have spoken to BG at some point. Otherwise you'd still be on variable rate billing. 

BlueWalls10

Thanks for all of your comments. I have dug through the paper correspondence that I got from them when I moved in and I do seem to have had a letter saying they had set up a fixed rate so looks likely that I am going to end up having to pay these exit fees.

I am angry with British Gas though as I don't believe there was ever any question about which tariff I would want to be on. I am sure they just defaulted me to fixed to lock me in. I don't think I ever actually signed a contract at any point. Is it possible that they could just take my lack of objection as an implicit contract agreement?

Aylesbury_Duck

BlueWalls10 said:

Thanks for all of your comments. I have dug through the paper correspondence that I got from them when I moved in and I do seem to have had a letter saying they had set up a fixed rate so looks likely that I am going to end up having to pay these exit fees.

I am angry with British Gas though as I don't believe there was ever any question about which tariff I would want to be on. I am sure they just defaulted me to fixed to lock me in. I don't think I ever actually signed a contract at any point. Is it possible that they could just take my lack of objection as an implicit contract agreement?

What does the letter say?

born_again

Given it ends in Sept 24.
Would make KSE sense to wait & move suppliers then.

sheramber

I have been with BG for three years and had to opt in to a fixed deal. It was not done automatically.