3. Check the licence and review the documents

Check for the energy retailer’s licence

An energy retailer must be licenced by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB). You should check the OEB's website to see if the retailer is licenced. If the retailer is not licenced, you should not sign the contract.

If you sign a contract with an energy retailer that is not licenced, the OEB cannot help you if you want to make a complaint about the retailer. The OEB only looks at complaints made against licenced energy retailers.

Get the right documents

If you want to sign up for an energy retailer's services, the salesperson must give you the following documents:

• the energy contract,
• a price comparison sheet, and
• a disclosure statement.

If the salesperson does not give you all these documents, do not sign the contract. You should read each document before you sign the contract.

The energy contract is the written agreement between you and the energy retailer. 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.

The price comparison sheet shows what the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) rates are for your area and compares those rates to what the energy retailer is offering you. The price comparison sheet must be approved by the OEB. There is a copy of the price comparison sheet on the OEB website.

The disclosure statement has information you should know before signing an energy contract. For example, the statement explains when you can cancel the contract without being charged a fee. There is a copy of the disclosure statement on the OEB website.

Understand the energy contract

Make sure you understand the energy contract before you sign it. Ask the salesperson questions if there are things you do not understand.

Ask questions like:

• How long is the contract for?
• What are the payment terms?
• Will the contract be automatically renewed?
• When and how can I cancel the contract?
• Are there any cancellation fees or other added costs?
• Is there a warranty?

If the salesperson promises you something that is not in the contract, ask them to add it to the contract. Otherwise, it will be very hard for you to prove what they promised.

You should keep a copy of all the documents the salesperson gives you. You should also keep notes about any conversations you had with them.