How to switch energy if you’re a tenant or student

If you are a student or tenant and you want help switching to the cheapest energy supplier, a switching service could still work for you. If you rent a property from a landlord, you are perfectly within your rights to switch energy suppliers when you move in – or at any time throughout your tenancy for that matter.

However, research by Ofgem found that 77% of tenants have not switched their gas or electricity supplier – and, if you’re one of them, you could be paying way over the odds for your energy.

Sticking with the same supplier for several years means you could be missing out on a much cheaper energy deal. Of course, you can’t call your current provider and pretend to be a new customer – well you could try! – but you can switch to another provider and enjoy their ‘new customer’ deals.

What happens when that ‘new customer’ deal runs out? Simple, you compare gas and electricity prices and switch to another supplier and another deal. All this switching may sound like hard work, but we promise you it doesn’t have to be.

At Switchcraft, we compare gas and electricity prices for you and switch you to the cheapest energy supplier – all without you having to lift a finger.

How can Switchcraft help you find the cheapest energy deal? 

At Switchcraft, we compare gas and electricity prices across the market every single day. We compare tariffs, deal and rates to find the best deals for our customers. You simply enter your details and we set to work to find you a better energy deal. We compare hundreds of gas and electricity prices and when we find the cheapest deal for you we switch you to it quickly and easily.

The best bit is, you don’t need to do a thing – we already have your details so we set up your account with the new supplier, we sort the direct debits and we deal with your old supplier, too.

You give Switchcraft your details once, then leave all the hard work to us.

How does it work?

At Switchcraft, we like to make life simple and making switching energy suppliers easier is just one way we can contribute.

Our process is quick and transparent and we do all the legwork. Here’s a brief summary of how Switchcraft works:

1. You sign up to Switchcraft and choose a deal you would like to switch to.
2. We record the type of deal you switch to and add this to your preferences to ensure we always pick energy deals that work for you.
3. We compare gas and electricity prices and search the market for better energy deals.
4. When we find one, we send you an email. You can approve the switch or cancel it. If you do nothing, you will be switched automatically. Magic.

How do I know which supplier the last tenants used?

If you’re new to the property, the last tenants will sometimes leave a note to let you know which supplier they were using, but if not, the landlord or letting agent should be able to tell you. But, to be honest, it doesn’t really matter. You’ll still have to set up a new account with whoever has historically been supplying the property in the same way you would with any provider. It’s no easier to stick to the same provider the last tenants used than it is to find a new one.

Whether you stay with the provider they used or switch to another supplier you’ll have to contact whichever company it is to set up your personal details, direct debits and so on. So, since you’re not tied in, it’s the perfect time to compare gas and electricity prices and shop around for the cheapest energy supplier.

But, instead of spending all that time looking for a deal, then sorting out your details with one energy provider, you could sign up with Switchcraft. We can give you access to all the best deals on the market to help you switch to the cheapest energy deal. You only need to give us your details once, then every time we switch you, we’ll set up your account, move your personal details and set up direct debits for you.

Do I need to tell my landlord I’m using Switchcraft?

If you’re a tenant, and you want to use a switching service, it is probably best to tell your landlord you’re signing up. Legally you won't need to get their permission to switch providers or to get a smart meter installed as a tenant. It’s up to you who you choose as your energy provider and how you go about the process of finding the cheapest energy supplier.