renting accomedation

paulskin

i will soon be moving into my first rented place.i havent yet had chance to ask lots/all of the questions i need to with the agent.....do i have controll over who supplies my elec and gas or is that down to landlord?

monoxideuk

It depends on your landlord, if you have sign a contract with a letting agent/ landlord looking inrto the terms and condition as it should state it there, ive rented two properties, One through a letting agent who told me in the terms i was not allowed to switch ( obviously i paid no attension to this as a consumer ive got a right to choose who i pay, otherwise its like being told i can only buy my food from asda while i live in the property) and my current property that im allowed to switch and choose as i like,

Obviously i understand why some landlords want to keep you with one supplier save with sorting out possible debt left by tenants, but i beleive its my right to choose

Hope that helps

paulskin

so does that mean even if the Ts & Cs on the contract say that i cant change them,i actually can?

monoxideuk

I would probably check in the T's & C's and if theres nothing in there sayin you cant them switch away, if there is i would approach your landlord/agent to find out why you have to be with there set supplier as it more expensive etc -

As far as contracts i dont think many landlords have set contracts with energy supplier since it you that pays the bills.

and since unless there a termination fee on the tariff your on when moving in its should be easy to switch, as you only need to be a supplier for 28 days .

Plus the bills are in your name so how can a landlord tell with out the energy company breaking dpa and giving your details to someone else

Premier_2

I don't bvelieve a landlord can prevent you from changing supplier, assuming the accounts are in your name which is the way most tenancy agreements work.

Any terms in the tenancy agreement tend to be more to do with keeping the landlord informed of who the supplier is, rather than to actively prevent you switching. This is simply so they know who to contact when you leave.

Flower08

Yes, a landlord can stop you from changing suppliers. You just have to check the T&Cs for each individual case. I know my landlord wont allow it, however many just request that you let them know you are doing it. Its just down to the individual landlord.

alunharford

I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice.

However, I suspect that a contract term preventing a tenant from switching gas/electricity supplier could be found to be unfair. I believe the OFT have a guide on this somewhere...