What is a Valda Energy Change of Tenancy?
A Change of Tenancy (COT) is the process Valda uses to update who is responsible for an energy supply when a business moves into or out of premises it supplies.
Valda says a COT can take up to five working days once submitted. It may take longer if information or supporting documents are missing.
Until the COT is completed, the account may continue billing against the previous customer's details. Getting the correct information and evidence together at the start is the most effective way to avoid delays.
Valda Energy Change of Tenancy contact details
For Change of Tenancy cases, The Best Energy Rates has been provided with the following Valda contact details.
Change of Tenancy email
changeoftenancy@valdaenergy.comMoving into premises supplied by Valda Energy
Valda says customers moving into premises it already supplies should complete its moving in Change of Tenancy process so it can establish who is responsible for the supply.
If you have not agreed a fixed term contract with Valda, you will be placed on a deemed tariff. Valda's deemed rates are typically higher than a negotiated fixed contract rate.
You are not obliged to remain with Valda after moving in. Valda's own guidance confirms that a new occupier can arrange a contract with a different supplier.
Deemed rates and previous occupier debt
A genuine new occupier should not simply assume that the previous occupier's energy debt belongs to them. Establish which legal entity incurred the charges and the dates each party was responsible for the premises.
Documents Valda may accept when moving in
Valda publishes several accepted documents for moving in COT requests. The strongest available evidence should show who became responsible for the premises and when.
- Signed lease or tenancy agreement
- Business Rates evidence
- Land Registry evidence
- Property Title Register
- Solicitor letter
- TR1
- Completion statement
- Business registration documents
Valda's current moving in form may list additional evidence. Check its published guidance directly before submitting.
Moving out of premises supplied by Valda Energy
Valda says customers moving out should complete its moving out Change of Tenancy process so it can establish when their responsibility ends.
Provide a closing meter reading where applicable. For a traditional non-smart meter, Valda says it requires a closing reading. Without one, the final bill may use estimated readings or Valda may request a meter photograph. For a smart meter, Valda says it will obtain the reading directly.
Valda says it will issue the final invoice within six weeks after being told that the customer is moving out. Valda also says customers should not cancel their Direct Debit until the final invoice has been paid.
Remaining account credit will be refunded once outstanding invoices have been cleared and the Change of Tenancy has been processed. Valda says this will normally appear 10 to 14 working days after the final invoice has been issued.
Documents Valda may accept when moving out
Valda's published guidance includes several documents for moving out COT requests. Its published lists vary slightly between COT pages.
- Surrender of Lease
- Fully signed Lease
- Landlord acknowledgement
- Land Registry evidence
- TR1
- Completion of Sale Statement
- Solicitor letter
- Business registration documents
- Insolvency papers
Meter readings and the Valda COT
For a traditional non-smart meter, Valda says it requires an opening reading when you move in and a closing reading when you move out. Without a reading, the final bill may use estimated figures.
For a smart meter, Valda says it will obtain the reading directly. However, smart meters can still have communication issues. If the final bill uses an estimated reading that does not match your evidence, raise it with Valda.
Photograph the meter on the day you move in or out. Include the date, the meter serial number and the full reading in the photograph where possible.
What to do if Valda delays or rejects your COT
If Valda will not accept your Change of Tenancy, ask it exactly what information or evidence is missing or disputed. Do not repeatedly submit the same COT without understanding why it has not been accepted.
Ask Valda to confirm in writing:
- Which responsibility date it currently holds
- Which legal entity it currently considers responsible
- Which document or information it still requires
- Whether the opening or closing reading is disputed
- Whether the COT is still being processed or has been rejected
- What action is required to complete it
If the disagreement cannot be resolved through normal customer service, consider raising a formal complaint.
Still being billed after moving out?
Check whether Valda has completed the Change of Tenancy and accepted the date your responsibility ended. If it has not, provide the missing evidence or information. If the COT has been accepted but the invoice still bills beyond the accepted responsibility date, raise the billing period specifically with Valda.
What if the previous business has gone into liquidation?
Tell Valda there has been a genuine change in occupier and provide evidence identifying the new legal entity and the date it became responsible for the premises.
Valda includes insolvency papers among the evidence it may accept for a moving out Change of Tenancy.
Where a previous company has failed and another business is now occupying the premises, do not rely on the trading name alone. A similar trading name, shared director or connected business can make a COT more complicated.
Check:
- Previous legal entity and company number
- New legal entity and company number
- Responsibility dates
- Lease or occupation evidence
- Opening meter reading
- Landlord details
- Any insolvency documentation available
Do not state that liquidation automatically removes every previous balance. Do not state that the new company is automatically responsible for the old company's debt. Establish the facts and legal entities first.
Can The Best Energy Rates help with a Valda Change of Tenancy?
Yes. Valda says a broker can support a customer with a Change of Tenancy request. Valda says the broker needs the relevant information to process the move and lists:
- Signed Letter of Authority
- Lease Agreement
- Landlord contact details
Valda also says there may still be occasions where it needs to speak directly to the customer.
The Best Energy Rates can help customers prepare and progress a Valda Change of Tenancy. The quickest cases are usually the ones where we receive the correct business details, responsibility date, meter information and supporting evidence at the beginning.
If the COT is connected to a billing dispute, previous occupier problem or incorrect meter reading, send us the relevant bill and documents as well.
Valda Energy Change of Tenancy FAQs
What is Valda Energy's Change of Tenancy email?
For Change of Tenancy cases, The Best Energy Rates has been provided with changeoftenancy@valdaenergy.com as a Valda contact address.
What is Valda Energy's Change of Tenancy phone number?
Valda's published Customer Services number is 0330 390 4510. Its current opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
How long does a Valda Change of Tenancy take?
Valda says a Change of Tenancy can take up to five working days once submitted. It may take longer if information or supporting documents are missing.
Do I need to tell Valda if I move into a property?
Yes. Valda says customers moving into premises it supplies should complete its moving in Change of Tenancy process so it can establish who is responsible for the supply.
Do I need to tell Valda if I move out?
Yes. Valda says customers moving out should complete its moving out Change of Tenancy process so it can establish when their responsibility ends.
What documents does Valda need when I move in?
Valda publishes several accepted documents including a signed lease, Business Rates evidence, Land Registry evidence and a solicitor letter. Its current moving in form also lists some additional evidence. The strongest available evidence should show who became responsible for the premises and when.
What documents does Valda need when I move out?
Valda's published guidance includes documents such as a Surrender of Lease, landlord acknowledgement, Land Registry evidence, TR1, Completion of Sale Statement, solicitor letter, business registration documents and insolvency papers. Its published lists vary slightly between COT pages.
Will Valda put me on deemed rates when I move in?
Yes, if Valda already supplies the premises and you have not agreed a fixed term contract. Valda says the new occupier will be placed on a deemed tariff.
Do I have to stay with Valda after moving in?
No. Valda's own moving guidance confirms that a new occupier is not obliged to remain with Valda. You can arrange a contract with a different supplier.
Do I have to pay the previous tenant's Valda debt?
A genuine new occupier should not simply assume that the previous occupier's energy debt belongs to them. Establish which legal entity incurred the charges and the dates each party was responsible for the premises.
What if Valda disconnected the property because the previous tenant owed money?
Valda says a new occupier should contact it to arrange reconnection where the premises was previously disconnected because of the old tenant's outstanding debt.
Do I need an opening meter reading for Valda?
For a traditional non smart meter, Valda says it requires an opening reading when you move in. For a smart meter, Valda says it will obtain the reading directly.
Do I need a closing meter reading when moving out?
For a traditional non smart meter, Valda says it requires a closing reading. Without one, the final bill may use estimated readings or Valda may request a meter photograph. Valda says it obtains the reading directly for a smart meter.
When will Valda send my final bill?
Valda says it will issue the final invoice within six weeks after being told that the customer is moving out.
When will Valda refund my credit after moving out?
Valda says remaining credit will be refunded once outstanding invoices are cleared and the Change of Tenancy has been processed. It says the refund will normally appear 10 to 14 working days after the final invoice is issued.
Should I cancel my Valda Direct Debit when I move out?
Valda says customers should not cancel their Direct Debit until the final invoice has been paid.
Can my energy broker complete a Valda Change of Tenancy?
Yes. Valda says a broker can support the request. It says the broker will need relevant information plus a signed Letter of Authority, lease agreement and landlord contact details, although Valda may still need to speak directly to the customer.
What if I do not have a lease?
A lease is not the only evidence Valda publishes for Change of Tenancy cases. Depending on the circumstances, other evidence may include Business Rates, Land Registry documents, solicitor correspondence, TR1, completion documents, business registration documents, insolvency papers and other supporting evidence listed by Valda.
Why is Valda still billing me after I moved out?
Check whether Valda has completed the Change of Tenancy and accepted the date your responsibility ended. If it has not, provide the missing evidence or information. If it has been completed, check whether the invoice bills beyond the accepted responsibility date.
What if the previous business has gone into liquidation?
Tell Valda there has been a change in occupier and provide evidence identifying the new legal entity and the date it became responsible. Valda includes insolvency papers among the evidence it may accept for moving out cases.
What should I do if Valda rejects my Change of Tenancy?
Ask Valda exactly which information, responsibility date or supporting evidence is missing or disputed. Resolve that specific issue rather than repeatedly submitting the same request.
Is a Change of Tenancy the same as changing the business name?
Not necessarily. A genuine Change of Tenancy concerns a change in responsibility for the supply. A trading name change may not mean the legal entity responsible for the premises has changed.
Can The Best Energy Rates help with a Valda Change of Tenancy?
Yes. We can help customers prepare and progress a Valda Change of Tenancy and investigate problems involving responsibility dates, meter readings, billing or previous occupiers.
Need help with a Valda Change of Tenancy?
If your Valda COT is straightforward, getting the correct information and evidence together at the beginning can make the process much easier. If it is not straightforward, send us the latest Valda bill and explain what has happened.
We can help check who is named on the account, the responsibility dates, the meter information, the bills and readings, the evidence available, what Valda is asking for and what appears to be holding up the COT.