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Electricity & gas · the UK
Checked 2026-09-27

🚪 I signed an energy contract at the door or by phone in the UK. Can I cancel?

The short answer

Contracts made at the door, by phone or online usually come with a cooling-off period in which you can cancel without giving a reason.

📜 The rules in the UK

Cooling-off period

If you change your mind after agreeing a switch, you can cancel within 14 days. Northern Ireland also has a 14-day cooling-off period.

Official source: ofgem.gov.uk · Checked 2026-09-27

🪜 Step by step

  1. Find the dateThe period usually starts when the contract is made. Look at the confirmation you received.
  2. Cancel in writingSend a clear cancellation by e-mail or letter within the period and keep proof.
  3. Check your old contractIf a switch had already started, tell your old supplier you are staying and check that no exit fee was charged.
  4. Report pushy sellingMisleading or aggressive sales can be reported to the consumer organisation or the regulator below.

📇 Who to contact

Citizens Advice (Great Britain) / Consumer Council for Northern IrelandIndependent advice for consumersFor advice, template letters and a second opinion🔗 www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Energy OmbudsmanSettles disputes with energy companiesWhen the company has not solved your complaint📞 0330 440 1624🔗 www.energyombudsman.org
Ofgem (Office of Gas and Electricity Markets)Supervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules🔗 www.ofgem.gov.uk
Utility Regulator (Northern Ireland)Supervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules🔗 www.uregni.gov.uk

❓ Questions

Do I need a reason?

No. During the cooling-off period you can cancel without a reason.

What if I already used energy?

You may have to pay for energy delivered at your request during the period, but not a penalty.

They said they were from my current supplier. Is that allowed?

No. Pretending to be your supplier is misleading. Report it.

📎 Sources

Checked: 2026-09-27

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Also useful

🔄Switching supplier→📈Price increase→🧾Wrong or high bill→💸Can’t pay the bill→🏚️Supplier went bust→

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