Energy company discontinued contract after DD set up

avoidtheupsidedownbottles

Bit of a strange one. We started an electric supply contract with Home Energy in September. DD was duly set up and they took the first three months' payments.

We're now vacating the property at the end of August, so I was looking at closing off the account, and realise they took nothing more after those first three months.

On contacting them, they say they were blocked/rejected from supplying us by the existing supplier, EDF and that I need to contact them about the bill. I did find an email from HE that I'd missed saying the DD was stopping but with no further explanation.

A few issues then: does this happen often? Do I have any comeback against HE for bouncing us out of contract without proper communications? Am I now supposed to just pay EDF whatever tariff they choose without having entered into a contract? Is it reasonable that HE were apparently not going to refund my DD payments..

Thanks for any suggestions with how to proceed

WiserMiser

Did you register with EDF when you first started using their supply? Only after that can you switch to another supplier.

avoidtheupsidedownbottles

I can't remember; perhaps that's it

Scot_39

You do not have to enter a contract with EDF directly - if as by what HE says - they were the existing supplier of the property.

You became their customer - as your "deemed" supplier - when you became legally responsible (e.g. start of tenancy date / moving date) for their bills at the property. Under a "deemed contract" - as legally binding as any other supply contract.

In absence of you registering and choosing a tariff with EDF (by your second post) - you get the default variable Ofgem cap charges / rates AFAIK.

Edit: Worse by not setting up a DD or switching to say smart prepay - you will pay the generally most expebsive standard crddit basis rates. Over £10 a month more expensive even at July lowered cap tdcv than DD.

HE had to stop billing you - as soon as the supply move failed.

There are only limited reasons why EDF can object and block a move - its meant to be easy to move - gross readings disagreements and standing debt on account (28 days outstanding iirc) - the two that spring to mind.

MWT

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82091019#Comment_82091019

There are only limited reasons why EDF can object and block a move - its
meant to be easy to move - gross readings disagreements and standing
debt on account (28 days outstanding iirc) - the two that spring to
mind.

Failing to open an account with the existing supplier after moving in to a new property can do it as well…

Bigphil1474

Hopefully you kept the readings from September as the previous occupier may have legged it owing money.

Scot_39

Thinking about tbe 3 payments to HE - they will have been paying for your electricity and numerous govt levies during that time.

They would ideally need to recoup that in some way - so at one level its not entirely surprising they havent just rebated your payments. Until they have resolved their costs.

but afaik as no switch really occurred - not sure they can keep the money. So you could request a full refund - and enter a complaint if not.

Let them justify why not refunding, and take to Ombudsman if necessary.

Although not that common - some switches are blocked - and with many suppliers taking an upfront payment on day 1 (whether security deposit, credit on account payment or for those with good credit etc maybe even just 1st months DD in advance these days ) there must be a working procedure to resolve it.

Mayve they can reclaim e.g. from grid. Or maybe they just have to take the hit.

Seems unfair if reason for failure stems from your potential failure to registee deemed account though.

The time to challange EDFs block was immediately after the 3 months notice of DD cancellation - the delay is unlikely to help a speedy resolution - or potentially your credit record.

And once resolved then re request the transfer.

It might even have been leaving the old account running - as without you registering first with EDF - HE wouldnt have been able to match their records for the address. IMO they should have to match - including bill payers details name etc - but not convinced they do (given false moves in error can and do occur). So forcing deemed supplier registration before moving supply.

I am surprised that EDF havent been sending any bills to the property in last 10 months - letters to "the occupier" or a previous occupier - but they might have been sending initial bills to a forwarding address - or previous occupants used RM redirect service - or landlord / agent if renting.

But given your potential failure to register and the timescales - EDF are owed now many months of money and owed that by you - and can and should be billing you. Or if dont now register, worse - because you havent registered with them - a real risk will appoint debt agencies to identify and pursue you at current or future address(s) for upto 6 years - for the whole amount - plus any agency costs.

PS - I hope you kept time stamped photos (e.g. phone) of the meter reading(s) as their may well be charges on EDF's bill related to previous occupants if they didnt end their account correctly.

One of the best reasons to always seek out and register readings with the deemed supplier - to protect yourself from past occupants abuse. Dont assume even modern smart meters will protect you from it - millions dont communicate with suppliers.

And as to you leaving soon - the unresolved bills with EDF - if renting that could give landlord or agent a headache - and if known quickly enough - could impact say deposit return.

And again the kandlord if a void period or next tennant if knows what they are doing should register EDF with readings to best avoid liability carrying over for your current potential debts to EDF.