Can my energy supplier stop me switching, NO. Ofgem is clamping down on suppliers that have been blocking services that automatically switch customers to cheaper energy deals with rival companies. Bulb, First Utility, and OneSelect have all been found guilty of blocking switches made through automatic switching services, such as Flipper and Switched. No fines have been dished out, as yet, but the energy regulator has ordered these suppliers to stop. Can my energy supplier stop my switching, if the following occurs; Switching energy supplier is surprisingly simple, and once you’ve agreed a new deal, you should be with your new supplier in just 17 days, which includes a 14-day cooling-off period. But there are some instances when you’re current supplier can legitimately block your move to a new one, and you might be stopped if: You owe your supplier money If you have an outstanding energy debt with your current supplier, and the money has been owed 28 days or more, then your move can be blocked until this debt has been paid. Suppliers could insist on installing the currently unreliable and complaints covered Smart Meter and Prepayment Meter. If you have a prepayment meter installed, you can switch supplier unless you owe more than £500 for gas or £500 for electricity. When you switch, you’ll need to ask the new supplier to agree to transfer your debt along with your supply (this is called the ‘Debt Assignment Protocol’). If you’ve owed money for less than 28 days, you can still switch supplier, but be aware that the debt will be added onto your final bill. If you decide to switch because your supplier is putting up its prices, you’ll have 30 days to pay off the debt before they can block your switch. And if the debt has built up because of a mistake by your supplier, such as a billing error, you can still switch and the debt will be added onto your final bill. If you already have a prepayment meter installed, you can switch supplier unless you owe more than £500 for gas or £500 for electricity. When you switch, you’ll need to ask the new supplier to agree to transfer your debt along with your supply (this is called the ‘Debt Assignment Protocol’). You’re on an unsupported meter If you’re on a prepayment meter, or have a Economy 7 or 10 meter installed, you might not be able to switch if the new supplier or tariff doesn’t support those types of meter, else have standard meter installed, which your new supplier might charge you for. You live in rented property If you live in rented or shared accommodation, you may not be able to switch without permission from the property owner or whoever’s name is on the bill. If you are responsible for paying the energy bills at the property, and the bills are in your name, then you have the right to choose your supplier. What if your supplier is stopping you from switching? If none of the above applies to you, and your supplier is blocking your switch even though you’re entitled to transfer to another supplier, you’ll need to make a complaint. Customers haven’t encountered the problems that have beset some customers using automatic switching services, but even though Ofgem is ironing out these issues, automatic switching has some additional problems. What’s the problem with automatic switching? Energy4 has helped many companies  switch to a better deal for over a decade now, and the process couldn’t be simpler. Contact energy4 today for a quote. Enter a couple more details on your current energy deal and annual usage – if you don’t have this to hand, we can run a comparison based upon the size and type of property you live in – and we’ll show you a list of deals that could potentially knock hundreds off your annual energy bills. You just then pick the deal that’s right for you, and we take care of the rest. It really is that simple. Information you need It’s useful to have the following information: Your postcode. The name of your current supplier. The name of your current energy tariff. Your annual energy usage or costs. You can find your tariff, supplier and annual information on a recent energy bill. Log into your online account if you don’t get paper bills. If you aren’t sure about your current supply details, see Finding your energy supplier or network operator. Find tariffs and suppliers Use a comparison website or phone different energy suppliers to find out what you can save by switching. You can ask your supplier if they will match an offer if you find one that’s better elsewhere. Weigh up your options Think about things like: A supplier’s customer service. If the offer is the cheapest, environmentally-friendly or flexible to leave without an exit fee. If you can get cashback or other free incentives as part of your switch offer. If there is a switching guarantee. Some suppliers offer this to help you switch with confidence. Choosing tariffs Learn about different energy tariffs See how suppliers compare on customer service View suppliers offering an Energy Switch Guarantee Confirm your switch The last step is to confirm your contract and payment method. Paying by Direct Debit usually saves money. Your new supplier will contact you with a switching date. It can take up to 21 days to complete a switch. In most cases, it’s around 17 days. If you change your mind You have 14 days to cancel from when you agree to a contract. Help with switching If a switch goes wrong or is unexpected Read less You could have been wrongly switched if you get an unexpected welcome letter or final energy bill. It’s rare this happens. When it does, contact your supplier to tell them. Citizens Advice can help with what you need to do too. Most switches run smoothly. But if things go wrong, Ofgem’s Guaranteed Standards make sure things are put right quickly and you are compensated. Compensation You won’t need to do anything if suppliers breach a standard and spot the issue. Compensation is automatic. You can report a claim too. Suppliers have 10 working days from a breach to pay you. They could owe a further £30 if they don’t meet this timeline. Ofgem monitors supplier data to make sure they do this. If you think an issue isn’t fixed or you haven’t been compensated, it’s best to contact your supplier to tell them. If you aren’t happy with their response, make a complaint. Guaranteed standard Compensation* Suppliers agree if a switch is valid or Erroneous transfer within 20 working days of you telling either supplier. £60 (£30 from each supplier) Suppliers confirm the outcome of their investigation into an Erroneous transfer within 20 working days of you contacting them. £30 by contacted supplier Supplier restores connection to previous supplier within 21 working days of agreeing a switch is erroneous. £30 by former supplier Supplier refunds money owed on a credit balance within 10 working days of sending a final bill. £30 by former supplier Property switched by mistake. £30 by new supplier Switch completes within 15 working days. £30 by new supplier Supplier sends a final bill within six weeks of a switch. £30 by former supplier *Effective from 1 May 2019. Suppliers may contact you about making a compensation payment. Always ask for further information before giving your personal details. You won’t get switching compensation if you are a business energy customer or if your supplier has gone bust. Switching if you are repaying a debt Read less You can still switch if you’ve been in debt to your supplier for less than 28 days. Your old supplier will add any owed amounts to your final bill. You’ll need to repay a debt first if you’ve owed money for over 28 days. This differs for prepayment meter customers (see below). Your supplier can’t stop you from switching if it’s their fault you’re in debt. If you are having money difficulties, see our advice on help if you can’t afford your bills. Switching if you are repaying a debt with a prepayment meter Read less You can still switch with debts of up to £500 on gas and £500 on electricity. The supplier you switch to will take on the debt and you will repay them instead. This happens under a ‘Debt Assignment Protocol’. You will agree the terms of your repayment plan in your contract with them. Our rules mean repayment plans must be realistic and affordable for you. Prepayment meter tariffs are usually more expensive. You may want to ask about the different options available to you, including changing to a standard meter. Most suppliers offer this for free. If you are having money difficulties, see our advice on help if you can’t afford your bills. Our guide on prepayment meter rules could also help. Switching if you rent a property Read less Your rental agreement should say if you, your landlord or letting agent are responsible for energy bills. Consumer protection law says you must be able to choose your energy supplier if it is your responsibility to pay energy bills. Your landlord could be responsible for paying energy bills if they: pay the supplier directly and reclaim the money from you as a tenant include the cost of energy in your rent assume responsibility for energy supply between tenancies. Even then, they should not unreasonably stop you from switching. If they pay, it’s worth checking the Citizens Advice guide on what your landlord can charge for your energy too. It’s important to check your rental contract for: energy supplier clauses. Letting agents or landlords sometimes tie in preferred suppliers with a ‘default supplier clause’. Ask if you can renegotiate it. If you can’t, you can still switch if you are responsible for paying energy bills. notice and return clauses. These might mean you must first tell your landlord if you plan to switch supplier. You might also have to return supply back to a particular supplier or energy meter (if you changed meters) when your tenancy ends. If you have a prepayment meter If you have moved to a property with a prepayment meter, tell the supplier you are a new tenant quickly. This is to make sure you don’t take on a former tenant’s debt in your prepayment meter charges. Prepayment meter tariffs usually cost more. You may want to ask about different options, including changing to a smart or standard meter. Most suppliers offer meter change services for free. If you aren’t sure about your current supply details, see Finding your energy supplier or network operator. Sales calls and doorstep sellers: our tips Always ask for ID Read less Always ask a doorstep salesperson to show their ID and ask a telephone caller to say where they are calling from. Note: their name who they work for their contact details. Most sales people only sell for one supplier at a time. So they will only be able to offer you deals from that supplier. However, some switching sites are also piloting direct sales and may offer you deals from a range of suppliers. Don’t get pressured Read less Salespeople can be persuasive. They may have a good offer. But they should never try to rush or panic you into a contract. Ofgem has rules on companies selling you energy so they do it properly. If you give a salesperson information on your energy use, they must use this to calculate your quote estimate and comparison. In most circumstances, a salesperson must show you how their offer compares to your current supplier’s deal. All salespeople should summarise the important points of a contract. Ask for a copy of the terms and conditions. Take your time: Check facts and consider the details Discuss it with someone else (like family or friends) Ask yourself questions like: “Is this the best deal for me based on my own energy use?” “Do I have enough information to decide?” Be aware of misleading statements that some salespeople may use. For example: “We have been sent by Ofgem to save you money.” “We own the local power distribution network, so we’re the cheapest supplier.” Think before you say yes Read less Ofgem has rules on companies selling you energy so they do it properly. If you give a salesperson information on your energy use, they must use this to calculate your quote estimate and comparison. In most circumstances, a salesperson must show you how their offer compares to your current supplier’s deal. All salespeople should summarise the important points of a contract. Ask for a copy of the terms and conditions. Take your time: Check facts and consider the details Discuss it with someone else (like family or friends) Ask yourself questions like: “Is this the best deal for me based on my own energy use?” “Do I have enough information to decide?” Be aware of misleading statements that some salespeople may use. For example: “We have been sent by Ofgem to save you money.” “We own the local power distribution network, so we’re the cheapest supplier.” You have the right to cancel within 14 days of signing a contract. You don’t need to give a reason. Report pushy salespeople Read less If you think a salesperson has behaved inappropriately or you are worried you have been mis-sold an energy deal, call the energy company the salesperson works for. If you are unhappy with their response, make a complaint. The Energy Ombudsman can step in after 8 weeks. Citizens Advice can also advise on 0808 223 1133 or use their online web chat. For textphone, dial 18001 followed by the helpline number. Mis-sold energy and unwanted sales contact If you think you think you have been mis-sold an energy deal, contact the supplier to put it right. If you are unhappy with their response, make a complaint. If you think you are a victim of fraud or have been contacted by someone trying to scam you: Call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or use their online form. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101. Always call 999 in an emergency, if you feel threatened or unsafe. For general advice on managing unwanted calls and messages, visit the Ofcom website. To manage unsolicited marketing and sales mailings, sign up for the Mailing Preference Service. The Trading Standards Office or the Trading Standard Service in Wales can advise on setting up ‘No Cold Calling Zones’ in your local area. Contact Energy4 today for further information Location: 25 Hartley Meadow, Whitchurch, Hampshire, RG28 7BW Opening Hours: 8:00 – 17:00 Mon to Sat To discuss further, please contact Energy4 Telephone: Call us on 01642 888814 & 01642 888816 Email: contact@energy4.co.uk Please provide the best date and time of day that we should contact you Click here to contact Energy4 today Contact Energy4 today for further information Further information 1 Can my energy supplier stop me switching Can my energy supplier stop me switching Can my energy supplier stop me switching Can my energy supplier stop me switching Can my energy supplier stop me switching business electricity business gas