Bt connection charges - empty property

caprian280

Hi all. I have just recently moved into a house that was owned by an elderly lady. She passed away and the house sat for over a year. From what i have been told she had a phone line to keep in touch with her children - there are also phone connection points in every room and 2 in the upstairs and downstairs hall.

I have phoned BT to sort out connection who at first put me down as number 43 and said there would be no charge to connect, then corrected it to 42 - told me there would be the £122 charge as theres no line. then the operator tried 43 again and then stated there would be a charge at that address too - which didnt seem to exist when they first got it wrong and entered my address as 43. It seems to me they are trying to con me on the charge. Does the special of £30 still exist to be connected? i had BT a couple of years back at my parents address, i fulfilled the 12 month contract - being with them for around 4 years before switching to my broadband provider for home phone line. I have never broken a contract with them or failed to pay a bill. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Ian

fay66

Well on my online quote said £122 but only charged £30 on my bill .

jhp

BT will always quote the full connection charge £122 nowadays .


One-off connection charge

• Connecting a new BT line costs £122.33 (incl. VAT). This charge only applies in some cases, but before we can confirm this we need to check your property.
• The charge will automatically appear in your online order basket, however, once you've placed your order and we've checked your property we'll let you know if it still applies.
• If your home has had telephone service from BT in the recent past, and the wiring and socket is undamaged and the line still has dialling tone, it's likely you won't need to pay this charge. But where there's no suitable BT line available in your property the connection charge may apply
• Most of our new customers find they don't need to pay this charge
• This fee covers engineering work in your exchange or your property in order to connect the line and is subject to survey.
• If the charge does apply it will be added to your first BT bill.

See: https://www.productsandservices.bt.com/btbusinessOrders/control/termsandconditions?docId=25017&pageTitle=%20New%20line%20connection%20charge

You can still get a £29.99p connection if you specifically ask for it before installation,and agree to an 18 month contract.

cajef

I moved into a property last December, which had also been empty for the past twelve months, there was a BT point in the house which was dead.

I called BT fully expecting to be told there would be a connection charge, I was told that as the line had been with BT there would be no charge, I was asked if I wanted the number that had been here previously and as it is very easy number to remember I have kept it, and the line was activated on the date of my move into the property.

I have since received my first online bill and on checking have found them to be as good as their word, no connection charge.