Landlords & power companies

[flarewearer]

Does anyone know if your letting agency can force you to change to a utility supplier of their choice? I'm quite happy with my current arrangements yet I received a letter today informing me that my letting agent has decided to switch all their tenants to some upstart company I've never even heard of ("Spark"), for "my convenience". In fact, it will inconvenience me to use their non-online service that works by estimates rather than readings I submit, and forces me to use direct debit (I prefer to pay things online)

P.S, St Andrews students need not worry, I live in Edinburgh now

[hr]

[munchingfoo]

I think this is on a contract by contract basis. Check your contract. There will be a section about bill responsibilities.

[hr]

Tired Freudian references aside - your mother played my mighty skin flute like a surf crowned sea nymph trying to rouse Poseidon from his watery slumber!

[Pedant]

Just because it's in the contract doesn't mean they are legally allowed to force you.

The contract might state that the tenant isn't allowed to change supplier without the landlord's knowledge/permission, but I'd check with a legal representative.

[ascii]

From the "your questions" part of the Energy Watch website

Question:
Can everybody change their gas or electricity supplier?

Answer


Most people will be able to change their suppliers. But there are times when changing may not be possible, for example:

You have not paid all the money you owe. Any money you have not paid becomes a 'debt' after a month. Suppliers are allowed to stop you changing to another company if you owe them a 'debt'

You rent your home and are supplied gas and electricity though a meter owned by your landlord. You pay the landlord directly for energy and he then pays the supplier.

Your lease specifies that you cannot change the suppliers.


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Stopping you from switching suppliers is not quite the same as forcing you to switch, but the above suggests that the watchdog thinks this behaviour is legit.

I think it's unfair for the agent to force you to switch, but I'm not aware of any precedents for this being an unfair condition of your lease, so it would be hard work for you to fight it.

[flarewearer]

Quoting ascii from 00:55, 15th Mar 2007
I think it's unfair for the agent to force you to switch, but I'm not aware of any precedents for this being an unfair condition of your lease, so it would be hard work for you to fight it.

Cheers, I'll be writing to them anyway. The landlord doesn't intend for us to pay them, they just want us to move to a power company that I'm sure they are probably getitng a kickback from.

[hr]

[bdw]

To the extent there's nothing in your lease providing that you'll agree to be directed by your landlord as to these arrangements, they would be pushed to demonstrate that you are required to do anything - particularly to enter into a separate contract. If it's not in there, it's up to you to agree to amend the terms of your lease. Usual caveats as to obtaining specialist legal advice yadda yadda.