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Working landline in new flat!!

Hi All,
I moved to a new flat recently as a tenant. To my surprise, I found that there is already a working landline there. Must be from the previous tenant, not sure.

I have already booked a BT line and it should be activated in next week or so. Till then, can I use hte line which is already there? Who is liable to pay the bill on that?

Thanks
Vikram

Comments

  • RichyRich
    RichyRich Posts: 2,091 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    If you don't rent the line but make calls on it anyway, you are stealing from whoever pays the bill.
    #145 Save £12k in 2016 Challenge: £12,062.62/£12,000.00 Beginning Balance: £5,027.78 CHALLENGE MET
    #060 Save £12k in 2017 Challenge: £11,03.70/£12,000.00 Beginning Balance: £12,976.79 Shortfall: £996.30:eek:
    This is the secret message.
  • RichyRich wrote: »
    If you don't rent the line but make calls on it anyway, you are stealing from whoever pays the bill.

    But the previous tenant must have cancelled the line as he moved back to his home country. Isnt it BT's mistake to keep the line still active??
  • RichyRich
    RichyRich Posts: 2,091 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Perhaps he didn't cancel the line. Perhaps he forgot. It might well be BT's error but just because someone makes an error doesn't mean you can take full advantage.

    I might drop my car keys in error but it doesn't mean if you find them you can drive off in it!
    #145 Save £12k in 2016 Challenge: £12,062.62/£12,000.00 Beginning Balance: £5,027.78 CHALLENGE MET
    #060 Save £12k in 2017 Challenge: £11,03.70/£12,000.00 Beginning Balance: £12,976.79 Shortfall: £996.30:eek:
    This is the secret message.
  • BT_company_representative
    BT_company_representative Posts: 1,861 Organisation Representative
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Hey all,

    BT cannot cancel a customer's line unless specifically requested by the account holder. The line will remain active unless BT is instructed otherwise. The only way BT can cancel a line is if another customer requests to takeover service at that address. BT will then try to contact the account holder and if no response is given within 14 days BT will then close the account and open a new account in the name of the person taking over the service.

    Conan
    BT Support
    Official Company Representative
    I am the official company representative of BT. MSE has given permission for me to post in response to queries about the company, so that I can help solve issues. You can see my name on the companies with permission to post list. I am not allowed to tout for business at all. If you believe I am please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com This does NOT imply any form of approval of my company or its products by MSE"
  • mrtom21
    mrtom21 Posts: 281 Forumite
    It is the previous tenants error by the sound of it. They were probably in contract and decided not to call up and cancel their line :P. You will not be held liable for calls on that line.
  • terra_ferma
    terra_ferma Posts: 5,484 Forumite
    mrtom21 wrote: »
    It is the previous tenants error by the sound of it. They were probably in contract and decided not to call up and cancel their line :P. You will not be held liable for calls on that line.


    ... except the person changes their mind, come back to the UK, are chased for the debt, find out the debt is yours and take you to court....
    They could have tried to cancel after all, BT could have made a mistake for what you know....
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