Check whether your broker can sign for you, when you can stop a renewal, and what the standing charge adds up to over the full term.
THE SOURCED NEWS
What Parliament is considering
The government’s Energy Independence Bill proposes giving Ofgem oversight of intermediaries such as energy brokers and comparison services. The government says the aim is to curb hidden commissions and mis-selling. Parliament is still considering the Bill, and the announcement does not give a date for the new broker rules to take effect.
The same announcement describes plans to remove standing charges on household gas bills. That household proposal does not remove standing charges from a shop, workshop or warehouse contract. Keep using the terms of your current deal for budgets and quotes.
THE SOURCED NEWS
How Bionic’s Do It For You renewal works
Bionic’s terms describe an opt-in Digital Renewal service, also called Do It For You in partner terms. The agreement authorises Bionic to arrange and sign a new supply contract on the business’s behalf using its panel of suppliers. Bionic says it emails quotes and sends a text reminder if it has your mobile number. If you do not respond within the quote window, it can go ahead with its recommended deal.
Bionic’s guide describes three days to choose a quote, but says to contact its team to opt out of the service no later than two days after the quote email is sent. Check your own agreement for the exact dates and how to revoke authority. Opting out of future renewals is different from cancelling a supply contract already agreed. Ofgem says business energy contracts have no cooling-off period after agreement.
Bionic’s own guide: https://bionic.co.uk/blog/digital-renewals/
THE SOURCED NEWS
One business owner’s experience
A business owner told SellerBundle they had opted into Bionic’s Do It For You service but hadn’t realised that silence could lead to a new contract. They say they missed the quote email in a busy inbox and didn’t respond. Bionic then arranged a new two-year supply contract on their behalf without speaking to them about the new deal, the owner says. They report a standing charge of £12.50 a day and say they were unable to switch or exit the contract. SellerBundle has not independently reviewed the contract or correspondence. At that rate, the standing charge alone comes to £4,562.50 over 365 days, before usage charges.
Energy Jobline reported on 27 June 2024 that BBC Watchdog on The One Show covered complaints about Bionic’s automatic renewals. It also reported Bionic’s response that some customers were not receiving emails and that it had started sending text messages. SellerBundle could not verify the original broadcast directly.
SELLERBUNDLE PRACTICAL ANALYSIS
SellerBundle: put each quote on the same footing
Find a full year of usage and ask each supplier or broker to quote for the same number of units and contract length. Write down the unit rate, daily standing charge and any separately listed fees. Ask how the broker is paid and whether the payment is built into the supplier’s quote so you do not count it twice.
Before accepting a deal, note when the old contract ends, when notice must be given and which documents confirm the new terms. Keep the quote and the written explanation together. If the new deal starts after your busiest month, budget for those weeks at the rates you actually expect to pay.
SELLERBUNDLE PRACTICAL ANALYSIS
SellerBundle: what to do if you miss the email
Ask the broker for the agreement or letter of authority, any relevant call recording, the renewal notices and the signed supply contract. Ask the supplier what options it offers and get its answer in writing. If you dispute the renewal, make a formal complaint to the broker. The Energy Ombudsman lists Bionic and can explain whether it can review an unresolved case.
For the next renewal, nominate a backup person to check messages and set a diary reminder ahead of the broker’s renewal date. If you want to approve each deal yourself, ask the broker to confirm in writing that its authority to renew has ended.
GO TO THE ORIGINAL
Check the sources.
GOV.UK: Energy Independence Bill factsheet on energy intermediaries ↗
Published 4 Nov 2026
This is an original SellerBundle explanation with practical editorial suggestions. Check current official terms and suitability before changing your business processes.