Is it OK to use previous neighbours' landline?

hunkietechie

Guys...I did not break into his house!...The landlord is the same for all of us and I had informed the landlord that I am using the extension cable to take the connection from his room. He provided me the keys for the house. Initially the guy left the house without disconnecting the internet nor switching off the hub bcos of which we were still accessing the net unaware of the fact that he has left. When we came to know that he has left, only then I took an extension cable. The box is still pretty much fixed in his room! I am ready to pay the bill that would come on his name...only problem is that I cannot, because I dont know his account details. I can take a new line but problem being that I cannot go in for a 12 month contract cos I am not gonna stay in this house for that long! Please try n understand that I wasnt trying to commit any offence or steal someone else's stuff. It was just an unwritten agreement with the neighour and my owner and now since I am surprised that the connection is still on, I have consulted you experts to guide me if its anything illegal.

TotallyBroke

Have you thought about asking the landlord to have the line in his name and you all contribute towards the cost of the internet?

hunkietechie

I have asked the landlord about getting the line transferred in his name but he too doesn't have any contact details of the guy who has left! If any of us knew where the guy was, we would have got the transfer long back!

macman

It's nothing to do with the landlord, the account is not in his name and he is not liable for anything.
To get the line transfered into your name you would have to tell BT that you have moved into the property and wish to take over the line that the previous tenant neglected to cancel. They'd do that, but you'd have to agree a 12 month contract.
Slightly intrigued as to why he left so suddenly. But unless he had it on a direct debit which is still active, they're going to cut the line off in a couple of months anyway.

hunkietechie

I believe he had it on a direct debit cos I have never seen any bills coming into the house. I checked on the BT line and it said that the next bill is due around Sep 8th. Now I am wondering that even if he is on a 3 month cycle, he must have made the last payment somewhere around June 8th...but he left in the first week of May itself. so its possible that he might not have cancelled his direct debit bcos he anyways had to honour the 12 month contract expiring this nov. Any idea how long does BT take before cutting off the line for non payment??

macman

If he's done a runner then it's unlikely that he's going to honour any contractual agreements...
Why don't you just remove the extension lead, secure his room, get yourself a wireless dongle and then you'll have nothing to worry about.
As long as you haven't been using the line for free calls then you haven't cost him anything.

456789

If he doesn't pay the bills they will disconnect him - then you could sign upto post office telephone which has no 12 month contract (but most internet providers want 12 months)

OldGreyFox

456789 wrote: »

then you could sign upto post office telephone which has no 12 month contract

Unless you take their broadband which has a 12 month contract.