EDF charged exit fees after flooding?

xcbx2

I was recently made homeless due to my property being flooded, my insurance company are taking over the property to dry it out etc and I've been told to expect to be out of there for 4-6 months. I've told EDF the situation and they've closed my account down, with £150 exit fees. Is it right they've charged me those exit fees with the circumstances under which I've had to leave the contract? 

lisyloo

I would say yes as it's not EDF's responsibility.
Did you ask them if they could consider waiving the fees under the circumstances?

northernstar007

can this not be passed onto the insurance co as it part of the claim
and good luck on the rebuild 

Gerry1

Welcome to the forum.

What do the Ts&Cs say?  However, I'd call them, explain the situation and ask for a refund.  If they still refuse, follow the EDF escalation procedure. If they still refuse, submit a formal written complaint.  Go to the Ombudsman upon receipt of a deadlock letter or after eight weeks if they don't send one.

northernstar007

also i would speak to the insurance company, the building contractors may need electric supply,  so you may need a connection?

la531983

Given the ownership of your home hasnt changed, who advised you to shut your utility accounts down? Or is this standard practice when vacating a property for insurance reasons?

debitcardmayhem

Why have they closed the account? Whilst you are out of the house the builders etc will need power for the drying out process and gas to keep the boiler going . Surely the insurance company will know this and when flooding happened to us the insurance company reimbursed for our power bills to us.

I know what it is like , when you first get flooded you don’t know what to do, my loss adjusters were brilliant and turned what was a very harrying experience for us just reassured us along the way. At least you have insurance and wish you well.

Gerry1

Perhaps the standard arrangements are that the insurance company takes over the utilities for the duration?  This could make a lot of sense because humongous amounts of energy will be needed to dry out the property.   Even if subsequently reimbursed, the hits to the OP's finances and credit rating could be quite problematic if it takes their bank account overdrawn and/or DDs are rejected.  The exit fee may have been an unexpected side effect.

If the insurance company is paying the utilities directly and EDF don't budge then the simplest remedy may be to ask the insurance company to sort it out with EDF or refund the exit fee.