Can an energy company refuse to let me switch provider?
Only for specific, narrow reasons — mostly debt over 28 days old, and even that has exceptions.
Only in limited, specific circumstances — a supplier can't simply refuse to let you leave. Under the domestic supply licence conditions, suppliers may raise a formal "objection" to a switch, but the grounds are narrow. By far the most common is unpaid debt that's been outstanding for more than 28 days after you were notified in writing. Recent debt, disputed bills, and debt caused by the supplier's own error are not valid grounds to block you.
Valid vs. invalid grounds to object
| Can block a switch? | Situation |
|---|---|
| Yes | Debt notified in writing and outstanding for more than 28 days |
| Yes | An erroneous transfer — for example, you didn't actually agree to switch |
| No | Debt less than 28 days old |
| No | A genuinely disputed bill, properly registered with the supplier |
| No | Debt that arose from the supplier's own billing error |
The 28-day rule in practice
- Debt under 28 days old: your supplier cannot object to the switch. They'll simply send you a final bill once the switch completes.
- Debt older than 28 days: the supplier can object until the balance is paid or a repayment plan is agreed. Once you pay off the debt or agree a plan, the objection should be lifted and you can proceed.
- If you're disputing a bill in good faith — for example, a large estimated charge you believe is wrong — a supplier shouldn't block the switch while that complaint is being properly investigated.
Switching on a prepayment meter with debt
If you have a prepayment meter, the rules are more flexible. Under the Debt Assignment Protocol (DAP), you can switch supplier and carry the debt with you, up to a set threshold per fuel, repaying it gradually through your top-ups with the new supplier rather than clearing it upfront with the old one.
What to do if your switch is blocked
- Ask your supplier exactly which ground they're objecting on and how old the debt is — they should be able to state this clearly.
- If the debt is under 28 days old, point this out directly and ask them to lift the objection — they have no valid basis to maintain it.
- If you're disputing the bill, confirm the dispute is properly registered in writing, and ask them to lift the objection while it's investigated.
- If the debt resulted from their own error, say so explicitly and ask for the objection to be removed on that basis.
- If the objection still isn't resolved, escalate to the Energy Ombudsman once you've given the supplier a fair chance to respond (or after 8 weeks with no resolution).
Can I switch energy supplier if I'm in debt? Often, yes. If your debt is less than 28 days old, it cannot block a switch at all. On a prepayment meter, you may be able to switch with debt attached under the Debt Assignment Protocol, which lets the debt transfer with you to the new supplier up to a set threshold, repaid gradually through top-ups.
What if my supplier's own error caused the debt they're using to block my switch? A supplier cannot object to a switch on the basis of debt that arose because of their own error, such as a billing mistake. If this happens, challenge the objection directly with the supplier, and escalate to the Energy Ombudsman if they refuse to lift it.
Related questions
Official sources
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