ANP
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News from the NOS•today, 17:00•Modified today, 17:26
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Energy companies that want to raise their tariffs starting October 1 have announced this too late. These companies, including Essent, Eneco, and Greenchoice, are legally obliged to notify consumers of this 30 days in advance. The Dutch Consumer and Markets Authority (ACM) receives questions and complaints from consumers, the regulator confirms after reporting by RTL news.
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According to the regulator, energy companies cannot deviate from the legal norm, even in the midst of an energy crisis with sharp price increases. “This is the regulation as it is,” spokesman Tjitte Mastenbroek said. “As a customer, you should always have the option to switch to another supplier.”
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Customers can file a claim with their energy supplier via the ACM website if their modified rate takes effect earlier than 30 days from now. “We get messages about it and let them know that this period applies. We have a sample letter that can be used to make such a complaint.”
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Troubled market
Essent announced a price increase starting October 1st on Tuesday. “This is as fast as we could due to the unstable market,” says the spokesperson.
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Essent is now in talks with ACM on the rules. “We really try to keep it as low as possible, but that’s no longer possible,” the company says of the rate hike. The company still doesn’t know what it means to Essent if customers oppose it en masse. “We are still looking for him.”
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‘I disagree with’
With the sample letter object to the tariff change and ask the supplier to confirm that it will take effect 30 days after the announcement. This would mean that the higher rate will take effect in the third week of October at the earliest.
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If the energy company is unresponsive or unable to find a solution, a consumer can go to the independent dispute committee or go to court, according to the ACM, which monitors competition in the Netherlands.
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ACM cannot say anything about further consequences for energy companies. “We just point out what the rules are for consumers, companies must respect them. If not, we have suggestions and advice. By phone and then online.”
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A few weeks of grace
“Very striking”, defines the situation a spokesman for the Consumers’ Association. “If those 30 days are to be used as ACM says, then many energy suppliers have something to explain.”
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According to the Consumers’ Association, it is good news for consumers who can object.
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“On the other hand, that 30-day cooling-off period was conceived on normal days, with normal energy prices. So you could use that time to switch to a cheaper supplier, which isn’t there now. But it gives you a few weeks of respite ».
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Prices are allowed
The ACM says there is nothing wrong with raising prices per se. The regulator can intervene with what he calls “unreasonably high fees,” but that is not the case now, the spokesman said.
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If energy companies raise prices, they must report it to ACM. They then have models for calculating whether these prices are justified. “There’s no limit to the fare they can charge.”
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