Moving into a lease - BT line charges?

jayflat

I am moving to a property that has a BT line connected.
The old tenants move out on this weekend.
I move in the following weekend.

I know there is an active line there, but I heard that if they 'cancel' the line, then I might have to pay another £120 (or whatever) to have it reconnected.

What is the procedure with this? Can I keep the line 'active' even though I take charge of the bills?

Thanks

goldengirl28

BT shouldn't cease the line only temporarily stop the service waiting for the new person to "takeover" the service.

they will then just charge you a reconnection fee and not a brand new line installation fee

sooz

If there is only a week between occupants the line should remain active.

Take a phone with you when you move in, plug it in & listen for the dial tone.
Then dial 17070 to get the phone number.

Only after this call up BT, & if they tell you you need to pay to have it connected, tell them to ..... off , & remind them that there is a dial tone, an active line, & the number is xxxxxxxx.

There should be no fee at all, other than their standard line rental charges.

jayflat

Thanks!!!

Though if there is a dialtone, that means the previous tenants' account is still active? If they cancel the service, I would assume the physical line is there, even though no dialtone?

Actually I was going to go with the post office cos I don't want to be locked in for 12 months.

sooz

There should be a dial tone even when the previous occupants have cancelled their account. You won't be able to dial out, except to ring to check the circuit number, & perhaps to make emergency calls (not tried this, so not sure)

Check your AST carefully to see if you are allowed to go with another provider. Your plan to go with the post office may cost you when you move out, & find you are obliged to reconnect the line to BT.

jayflat

Stupid question I'm sure: what's an AST?

sooz

Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement

jayflat

Right - thanks. Haven't seen that yet as I haven't moved in yet.
But I assume it should be OK since the Post Office simply resells the BT infrastructure (i.e. doesn't disconnect the line).

princeofpounds

As everyone has said in theory you should not have to reconnect. However, BT seem to routinely lie about these things based on evidence I have seen from all sorts of consumer problems. (My own experience with BT was nothing short of farcical, although that's another story!).

You will probably get a better answer to this on the telephones and utilities board further down the main forum page!

Fire_Fox

Post Office do not have a good reputation - try PlusNet who will reconnect for free with no contract.

jayflat

Fire Fox: How do you mean? Any links on PO's rep?