Letters of authority (LOA) explained
A letter of authority (LOA) is a short document, signed by you, authorising a named third party — a broker or consultant — to deal with suppliers and industry bodies on your business's behalf. For anything beyond a basic quote, it's the key that unlocks proper work.
What an LOA lets us do
- Obtain your consumption history and supply details from suppliers and industry data services
- Request bespoke prices for half-hourly and larger supplies
- Serve termination notices so contracts can't roll over
- Manage billing queries and disputes with your supplier
What it does not do
A standard LOA is information and administration authority, not signing authority. It does not let anyone enter a contract for you, change your payment details, or commit you to anything. Contracts are only formed when you agree them — verbally on a recorded line or in writing. If a broker ever presents an LOA as permission to sign on your behalf, that's a broker to walk away from.
What a good one looks like
- Named parties — your business and the specific consultancy, no vague "and partners"
- Scoped — what it covers (information, termination, dispute handling)
- Time-limited — typically 12 months, with an expiry date printed on it
- Revocable — you can withdraw it at any time by telling us and the supplier
Half-hourly supply? An LOA is step one — it lets us gather your consumption data before pricing day so you can decide while bespoke prices are still valid. Start here →