Do I need to pay BT for connection???

MissMuppet

I am trying to organise a phone line in my new flat so it's all there when I move in next week... When I went to look at the flat last week there was a phone line! I just called BT and they said they couldn't find the property on their system so I'd have to pay them £74.99...

My question is can I get this cheaper anywhere else or does it have to be BT to put the line in?

I'm positive there is a line there, how do I prove it?

Lots of help would be appreciated!

matrix999

Is the property a new build?

MissMuppet

No it's an old property... there are 3 flats in the building, BT did say that they could only find flat 1!

matrix999

hmm.. Strange one!!

How are the flats numbered, is it Flat 1A 1B 1C etc?? or have they all got seperate numbers?

Do you know the previous occupiers surname, if you do then you could do a directory enquiry search via http://www.192.com to see if it shows a telephone number for the old occupant at that address and then give this to BT Customer Services which shows a line was at the address.

mr_fishbulb

Are you sure it's a BT line? It could be from another provider.

MissMuppet

The flats are basement flat (mine), flat 1 and flat 2!

Just spoke to BT again with the name of the previous tenant and it's not under that name... BT only have surnames, they don't have the flat numbers next to them!!!

I've now called my letting agent who is going to call the landlord and find out the deal with the phone line!

What other provider could it be, and how would I find out? NTL don't supply phone lines in that area so it can't be them...

matrix999

Has the socket got the BT logo on it?

MissMuppet

I'm not sure, the landlord just gave me the name of the last person to have a bill there so I'm hoping that will work... 3rd time lucky! :rolleyes:

MissMuppet

It's all sorted... I even had a choice of 4 phone numbers!

Thanks for your help guys!

eddie_2-2

What's the deal with new builds.
I need to get a BT line installed. They're gonna charge me £75 for the pleasure.
Seems a bit steep just for an engineer to plug a cable in at an exchange.
Any way around this?

pricefighter

eddie wrote:

What's the deal with new builds.
I need to get a BT line installed. They're gonna charge me £75 for the pleasure.
Seems a bit steep just for an engineer to plug a cable in at an exchange.
Any way around this?

If your the occupant of a property that has never had BT Service before,and you require a BT Line connected yes the connection charge is £75 and their is no way round it.(BT have to recover the cost of cabling etc up to your new property in the first place). They can spread the £75 cost over 4 instalments.Ask them to pay by this method if it suits you better.