Admin charge for moving suppliers in new apartment

[iblametheparents]

I'm moving in to a new apartment next week and have found the following in my contract:

"Shall not (nor allow others to) arrange for the transfer of the supply of any utility or service such as Gas, Electricity, Telephone, Water etc. Where the Tenant arranges for such a transfer the Landlords' Agent reserves the right to make an administrative charge of £75.00 payable by the Tenant"

Is this clause actually enforceable? I thought that whoever pays the gas/electricity has a choice in who supplies it?

Any advice appreciated.

[enaid]

Re: Admin charge for moving suppliers in new apartment

Well you do have a choice but you will have to pay £75 and I think if you have signed the contract then it would be enforceable.
I do know it's in contracts that you have to inform the LL or letting agent if you do intend to switch and also some suppliers will not allow switches through 3rd parties so this may be where the charge comes in. I am not 100% sure on this and someone else may come along and give a different answer.
The agent should inform you who will be supplying your utilities.

[P.Pilcher]

Re: Admin charge for moving suppliers in new apartment

There are some energy suppliers who who give a commission to landlords on all energy used by their tenants. Landlords thus do not want their tenants to change from these to understandably cheaper energy suppliers. I do not think that this clause in your contract is enforceable however. I suggest that you post on www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums where the legal experts on L/T law can give more definitive advice.

P.P.

[iblametheparents]

Re: Admin charge for moving suppliers in new apartment

There are some energy suppliers who who give a commission to landlords on all energy used by their tenants. Landlords thus do not want their tenants to change from these to understandably cheaper energy suppliers. I do not think that this clause in your contract is enforceable however. I suggest that you post on www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums where the legal experts on L/T law can give more definitive advice.

P.P.

Thanks, have done so.

[P.Pilcher]

Re: Admin charge for moving suppliers in new apartment

...And as you have indeed done so, you will have read that I was right!

P.P.