Rental agent wants to change my energy supplier

beingjdc

Well, I got in bother for raising this about pets from the 'landlords' rights' lobby on the other thread, but yet again - the Office of Fair Trading guidance on unfair terms in consumer contracts suggests that it is unlawful for a landlord to restrict the tenant in their choice of utility supplier - though they may be allowed to require the tenant to switch back at the end of their tenancy.

takoo

Hi Ramellous 1
Have you checked this out with one or all of:

• the local authority trading standards office
• the fuel supply consumer watchdog - OF??
• the Office of Fair Trading
• etc

It smacks of anti-anti-competition law.

Enjoy 2008

Takoo

MissMoneypenny

PROFESSIONAL_LANDLORD wrote: »

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

Correct.

Page 113 from The Office of Fair Trading's "Guidance on Unfair Terms in Tenancy Agreements" confirms this for you:-
http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:8-140MWqONoJ:www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/reports/unfair_contract_terms/oft356.pdf+oft+guidance+of+unfair+terms+in+tenancy+agreements&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=uk&client=firefox-a#76

Guy_Montag

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.

Ignore it, it's unenforceable.

Against changing the phone or utility supplier.
The tenant should have the choice of supplier although he may be required to keep the landlord informed of any change and to return the account to the original supplier at the end of the tenancy.

OFT

efc66

Sorry to barge in on this thread, but I would like to get some advice on a similar problem. My wife changed energy supplier over the phone, even though the account was in my name. My name is also on the new supplier account even though I was not aware of the change. I changed back to the original supplier as I had just negotiated a lower monthly DD, but it was too late and have had to go back to a higher monthly rate (long story). My question is can they change my supplier without me having to sign anything?

regards

1st time poster Alex

DVardysShadow

efc66 wrote: »

Sorry to barge in on this thread, but I would like to get some advice on a similar problem. My wife changed energy supplier over the phone, even though the account was in my name. My name is also on the new supplier account even though I was not aware of the change. I changed back to the original supplier as I had just negotiated a lower monthly DD, but it was too late and have had to go back to a higher monthly rate (long story). My question is can they change my supplier without me having to sign anything?

regards

1st time poster Alex

This thread is as old as the hills and relates to a specific problem with agents taking kickbacks for changing tenants supplies. So it is not a good place to start.

I suggest you go to the Gas and Electricity part of these forums, where you will find more relevant expertise and you start a new thread. If you do that, just post in reply here to let everyone know that is what you have done.