1. Check if the energy retailer followed the rules
Question and answer
Can I cancel my energy contract?The law says energy retailers have to follow certain rules when selling their services to you and making a contract with you.
Rules about selling services to you
First visit
Energy retailers are not allowed to sign you up for any services during their first visit to your home. If you sign a contract with them during the first visit, the law says it is not a valid contract.
Unfair practices
Energy retailers are not allowed to use unfair practices to convince you to sign a contract with them. Unfair practices include making false or misleading statements.
For example, the retailers must not tell you that:
- their service is of better quality than it really is
- you’re getting a special price or benefit when they are offering the same thing that you can get somewhere else
- it’s only available for a limited time if that is not true
If the energy retailer used an unfair practice to get you to sign a contract, you can cancel your contract at any time. You will not have to pay a cancellation fee. And the energy retailer will have to give you a refund if you paid any money to them.
Rules about making a contract with you
When you agree to an energy contract, the energy retailer must:
- give you a written copy of the contract
- make sure you sign the contract
The contract must include:
- how much you will be charged
- your payment options
- when you will have to make payments
- how to renew the contract
- how to cancel the contract
- contact information for the energy retailer
This information is known as the “terms and conditions” of the contract.
If they do not give you a written copy of the contract or if you did not sign the contract, it is not valid. So you can cancel the contract at any time. You will not have to pay a cancellation fee. And the energy retailer will have to give you a refund if you paid any money to them.