Rental agent wants to change my energy supplier

ramellous1

I have had a follow up letter regarding one that I ignored. The agent I am renting off wants to change all it's properties to Southern Electric and gas. They say it makes it easier when new tenants get the house. I do not want to change and if I did I would sort it out myself (using Quidco of course). I assume I can tell them to go away nicely? Is what they are doing unusual?

btloptingout

I can't believe an agent can dictate which supplier you choose to provide your energy....nor why should it make any difference to them.

Something smells fishy here.....Maybe i'm thinking conspiracies but I wouldn't be surprised if the local manager for the supplier has an underhand deal with the agent.

Lets face it energy suppliers pay independent tele-sales agents per customer sign-up....i've even been changed over against my will by an unscrupulous tele-sales agent overly keen to get commissions.....This tele-sales agent was paid by Virgin.

I would tell the agent you are unhappy with this and will refer the matter to offgem.

http://www.housepricecrash.co.uk/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t62612.html

PROFESSIONAL_LANDLORD

I assume I can tell them to go away nicely? Is what they are doing unusual?

I would say so, it's down to the tenant who the supplier is, the bill payer.

mpsavuk

I had a letter about this and just ignored it. I make my own financial decisions. They can't force you to change suppliers.

abaxas

Just do it...

But dont forget to charge the £75 'changing energy supplier' fee.

That should stop them.

RHemmings

Does the rental agreement say that the landlord can specify the energy supplier? If not, how can they force change as the contract for supply is between you and the energy supplier.

Even if it does, if there is a general term stating that the tenant must use the landlord's specified energy suppliers, that the OFT would consider this an unfair term as it would allow the landlord to specify an expensive supplier, imposing an unfair financial burden on the tenant. Not that I'm a lawyer mind you, but that's my understanding of it.

chocolatechipcookies

You should be able to use who you like.

ramellous1

Thanks for the replies. There appears to be a few people had the same kind of thing.

clutton_2

have you researched if the suggested new supplier is in fact cheaper than your current one ?

gozaimasu

The letting agent I use does the same - we are not allowed to change the providers for gas, elec or phone. It is hideously unfair and we're not getting the best deal.

iamstacie

gozaimasu wrote: »

The letting agent I use does the same - we are not allowed to change the providers for gas, elec or phone. It is hideously unfair and we're not getting the best deal.

Tell me about it!! We're on a prepaid card meter, meaning if we want the house warm it costs £90 a month in gas alone! This year the heatings on for just 4 hrs a day (2x2) and being that its barely being above freezing (we're end terrace with an empty house on the other side too) its still costing us about £40 a month this winter. Electricity is about £30 too