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Original poster

So how do you get your gas and electricity disconnected so you don't pay standing charge?

90 replies

LaurieFairyCake · 22/08/2022 16:02

Is literally what a family asked me today Sad

Their standing charges are going to be £40-£50 a month so they want it disconnected

I did not know the answer to that so I've kicked the query to someone else (not my area at all) but I figure someone on here will know

I didn't even think you were allowed to ...

OP posts:
Unforgettablefire · 22/08/2022 16:04

I looked into this myself as I could do without gas. Would be horrible but doable.
You have to pay and it's not cheap and what I was reading once it's blocked off it's forever.

Dadaya · 22/08/2022 16:05

It’s shocking that the standing charge is so high. Fair enough put up the price of energy, and those who can’t afford it don’t use it. But putting up the standing charge is unfair because people with no money have no way to keep their costs down.

BarbaraofSeville · 22/08/2022 16:12

Surely it would be more trouble than it's worth for electricity and this is where most of it is anyway?

Even for gas, it's shooting yourself in the foot because you have a high fee to pay to save a few quid a month, so the time taken to get your money back will probably be years.

For most people, even at the higher prices, the standing charges are a small fraction of the bill, so unless you use hardly anything, then it's not the standing charge that's making it expensive anyway.

If they're worried because they're on a low income, have they applied for all the grants they're entitled to?

As well as the £400, the £650 for people on TC and UC, there's enhanced winter fuel payments for pensioners, and addtional trust fund payments (scroll down to the bottom of: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/get-help-paying-your-bills/grants-and-benefits-to-help-you-pay-your-energy-bills/)

But are they sure about the SC being that high? They're currently £22 pm (£15 electricity and £7 gas) unless they've signed up to an expensive fix, and they won't necessarily double, just because the price cap is set to double. The increase might go on the unit rates not the SC.

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Cost of living
Unforgettablefire · 22/08/2022 16:13

It's absolutely disgusting I don't know how they're getting away with it. They get their money one way or the other though.
Op I just had another look octopus are doing it free but I'm not sure if you need to be a customer. Worth a look on their website.
Those standing charges are more than what my bills were in total ffs

Unforgettablefire · 22/08/2022 16:16

I've a feeling there's going to be a massive increase in the gas standing charges because they know people aren't going to be using it.
We have no choice really but to use the electric and I think that's why there was a bigger increase in the standing charges in April. They're saving the big hike for October for gas.

Original poster
LaurieFairyCake · 22/08/2022 16:23

They're not on a fix, they've been told by an advisor that their winter standing charges are likely going to be two thirds of what their entire usage was last year.

Last year they said they barely had the heating on, didn't run a fridge, batch cooked, had the tv on but no lights etc etc and they paid £70 dual fuel (including standing charge)

So to be told it's going to be over £40 not to turn ANYTHING on they're wondering what the point of having it is

OP posts:
CombatBarbie · 22/08/2022 16:27

Outfox the market don't charge if you pay by DD.

Pixiedust1234 · 22/08/2022 16:28

They need to contact their provider as its different for each one. You usually have to pay to disconnect (and reconnect).

dementedpixie · 22/08/2022 16:32

LaurieFairyCake · 22/08/2022 16:02

Is literally what a family asked me today Sad

Their standing charges are going to be £40-£50 a month so they want it disconnected

I did not know the answer to that so I've kicked the query to someone else (not my area at all) but I figure someone on here will know

I didn't even think you were allowed to ...

I think their calculations are wrong. Current standing charges are around £180 per year for electricity and £100 for gas working out at around £15 and £8 per month.

HappyHamsters · 22/08/2022 16:36

How are they going to live without electricity and gas.

Fifthtimelucky · 22/08/2022 16:36

That sounds like a huge amount and it seems unlikely to me.

However, if they disconnect themselves, I imagine they won't benefit from the £400 that all energy customers will be getting this autumn. T

If the standing charge goes up to £40, the £400 will obviously last 10 months. Surely it would be better to keep the gas and electricity on and use them frugally? And of course they might be entitled to more than £400.

BarbaraofSeville · 22/08/2022 16:42

I also think something doesn't add up here.

Are you saying this person's bill for the whole year was £70? It can't have been because, even before the April 22 price rise, the standing charge will have been around £15 pm, so more like £200 a year before you use anything.

It might have been £70 pm, but sadly it is going to increase, but most people want at least the basic facility, so need to pay. Plus if they're on a very low income there is help available, that is likely to increase - we've been told this.

It's not a given that the standing charge will double again just because the price cap will double and it's irresponsible to tell people that when no-one knows.

The consequences of disconnecting the supply will be significant. If they rent, they're probably not allowed to do it, as it's not their property and if they own the property, it's still probably not advised, as it might make selling it difficult.

Get them to check the advice they're being given before they do anything drastic like this.

Marinamountainzoo · 22/08/2022 16:44

dementedpixie · 22/08/2022 16:32

I think their calculations are wrong. Current standing charges are around £180 per year for electricity and £100 for gas working out at around £15 and £8 per month.

Show quote history

The standing charge I have been quoted from September is going to be 70p per day.

SheWoreYellow · 22/08/2022 16:47

Wouldn’t you just phone your provider and tell them you are moving?

mondaytosunday · 22/08/2022 16:51

They are incorrect. If they were in the highest tarif it would be £263/year with the latest cap. Who told them it would be so much higher?
I don't understand how they can batch cook without refrigeration, what would they be cooking on? How would they have hot water? I think they have bad information and are being extreme in their response without thinking it through!

NewBootsAndRanty · 22/08/2022 16:51

SheWoreYellow · 22/08/2022 16:47

Wouldn’t you just phone your provider and tell them you are moving?

All that would do would generate a new occupier account, still accruing standing charges.

SheWoreYellow · 22/08/2022 17:08

NewBootsAndRanty · 22/08/2022 16:51

All that would do would generate a new occupier account, still accruing standing charges.

Show quote history

You could tell them it was going to be empty for the near future.

Shortjanet · 22/08/2022 17:20

I'm pretty sure the owner is still liable for standing charges when a property is empty.

Nolongera · 22/08/2022 17:30

Some people provide their own energy and are completely off grid, they won't be paying any standing charges so it is doable.

I do think massive standing charges are being used to extort even more money from low users, last month my gas standing charge was higher than my gas usage.
How is this family going to heat and light their house?

Surtsey · 22/08/2022 17:34

Heaven knows which utility provider they are with. Our combined bill came the other day and it says that our standing charges are -

electric 36.112p a day or £131.81 a year.
gas 25.923p a day or £94.62 a year.

So £40-50 a month is a heck of a lot for them to be paying in standing charges. Are you sure they've not got their figures in a twist somewhere?

PerkingFaintly · 22/08/2022 17:35

Unforgettablefire · 22/08/2022 16:04

I looked into this myself as I could do without gas. Would be horrible but doable.
You have to pay and it's not cheap and what I was reading once it's blocked off it's forever.

I looked into doing this for gas, too, a few years ago. IIRC there's a substantial reconnection charge but it's usually physically possible.

At the time I decided not to disconnect, but it's certainly worth doing the sums.

Katy123g · 22/08/2022 17:36

I know that you can ask for a gas meter to be removed and depends on the supplier whether this would be free or not (as long as the landlord/housing association agree if the property is not owned).

However, I really can't see them agreeing to remove an electric meter from an occupied property. It would be like going back to victoriana times. I can't get my head around someone considering this tbh.

Maybe that makes me sound like I have plenty to spare to pay for rising energy bills (I don't!), but I'm gobsmacked someone would be willing to go down this route.

Have they actually spoken to their supplier to ask about help they may be entitled to?

Also don't forget the £400 rebate plus.more if on certain benefits.

Also, please don't anyone tell their supplier they have moved out to try and not pay. It will not work!

dodobookends · 22/08/2022 17:37

LaurieFairyCake · 22/08/2022 16:23

They're not on a fix, they've been told by an advisor that their winter standing charges are likely going to be two thirds of what their entire usage was last year.

Last year they said they barely had the heating on, didn't run a fridge, batch cooked, had the tv on but no lights etc etc and they paid £70 dual fuel (including standing charge)

So to be told it's going to be over £40 not to turn ANYTHING on they're wondering what the point of having it is

They've been told by an advisor? Who, exactly is this advisor?

And did they ask for this advice or did some cold-caller phone them up to talk about it?

Original poster
LaurieFairyCake · 22/08/2022 17:38

They paid £70 a MONTH to be very frugal last year

The advisor said it would be £40 a month this year to not actually use any gas/electric but just to pay the standing charge

They didn't use their fridge last year and just left their food in the garden in bags when it was cold enough/ and bought more frequently- so they'd buy ingredients for a huge lasagne and cook it once and eat it for 3 days

OP posts:
Original poster
LaurieFairyCake · 22/08/2022 17:38

Citizens advice

OP posts: