Tenancy and phone line - who pays connection fees?

the182guy

I'm looking to rent a brand new flat. The agent doesn't seem to be able to tell me much about the phone line. The general feeling I get is that all the line is in place, just needs turning on in some way.

I phoned BT and they said the tenant has to pay a connection fee of £172 to connect the phone where an engineer will come out and do it.

I realise I will be liable for the line rental and phone bills etc but I didn't expect to have to pay £172 for a new flat that isn't connected. I was told nothing about any fee. The agent hasn't actually mentioned a fee yet, only BT have. This effectively adds £14 per month to the rent.

I agreed the rent price on the assumption that the phone line would be in place and functional. Although I haven't signed any contract yet. The contract just says I'm liable for telephone costs which is a bit unclear.

Can anyone shed any light on this?

kunekune

Yes, unfortunately, it is almost certainly your responsibility. It might just about be worth it if you have an AST for 12 months (but only JUST). If it's a 6 month one, the danger of non-renewal is such that it isn't. You may need to think about alternatives - mobiles and mobile internet. Not so fast, but not such a ridiculous up-front fee.

the182guy

kunekune wrote: »

Yes, unfortunately, it is almost certainly your responsibility. It might just about be worth it if you have an AST for 12 months (but only JUST). If it's a 6 month one, the danger of non-renewal is such that it isn't. You may need to think about alternatives - mobiles and mobile internet. Not so fast, but not such a ridiculous up-front fee.

It's only needed for Internet and won't be able to make do with mobile net. It's a 12 month contract so I guess that's better than 6.

Should the EA have mentioned this though before I made all the arrangements to move in? I have asked a number of times about the phone line and they have always being very vague and basically now telling me "oh we don't even know if it's connected, might have some info on that on move in day".

sooz

It's £127.99 (incl vat) not £172. Not great, but slightly cheaper

It's free if you sign up to their triple package, probably for a year minimum. Ok if you want this, not so great if you don't. Or reduced to £50 if you want calls & broadband (again minimum period applies, check the t & c's)

http://www.productsandservices.bt.com/consumerProducts/displayTopic.do?topicId=25497

Also, do try to negotiate with the agency & the LL about this charge.

pinkshoes

Wow, that's inflation, as it was £124.99 just 3 years ago!

I would ask the LL, as if the contract says "connected phone line", then the LL should pay. If the contract doesn't mention a working phone line, then you will have to pay.

I'd try and get the LL to pay for it, or look for somewhere else to live!

tootsmyboots

we had this happen to us, but I really really probed BT about it as there had been a working line in our rental before the last tenants left. In the end they agreed to do it for free if I committed my custom to them for one year on the same package (but actually £1 a month cheaper!!!).

sooz

Tootsmyboots - If there is a white BT box in the property, & there is a dial tone, there is no charge. They try to make you pay, but you don't have to

If there is a phone at the flat when you are viewing, pick it up and dial 17070. If no phone there, arrange to go back & take one with you & dial the number. This will give you the phone number for the line. Then phone up BT, give them this number, & accept no nonsense from them.

tootsmyboots

sooz wrote: »

Tootsmyboots - If there is a white BT box in the property, & there is a dial tone, there is no charge. They try to make you pay, but you don't have to

If there is a phone at the flat when you are viewing, pick it up and dial 17070. If no phone there, arrange to go back & take one with you & dial the number. This will give you the phone number for the line. Then phone up BT, give them this number, & accept no nonsense from them.

Hi, we did all this and there was no dial tone. Turned out the LL had it disconnected when the last tenants moved out. And also turned out they were connected as a business line which took a while to uncover. White BT boxes all over the house, but no tones! Good advice for other potential renters though, thanks.

Am happy to say we had no such problems moving to this new house (bought, not rented). We even kept our phone number and my broadband was active within a couple of days this time, as opposed to a month without it at the rental house due to Orange BB issues! I hate moving!!!:rotfl:

muskoka

Hang on though - I moved into a rental place that was with Talk Talk - arranged to go with Plusnet & they only charged me £50 connection, instead of that over-inflated BT price. And I didnt need to take a contract out with Plusnet either.

orangeslimes

I think sometimes electrician type handymen can do it for you to.

There is also the option of Virgin who direct the phone via the cable network (or some other way than BT anyway)

Fire_Fox

the182guy wrote: »

It's only needed for Internet and won't be able to make do with mobile net. It's a 12 month contract so I guess that's better than 6.

Should the EA have mentioned this though before I made all the arrangements to move in? I have asked a number of times about the phone line and they have always being very vague and basically now telling me "oh we don't even know if it's connected, might have some info on that on move in day".

Anything you need to know about a rental or house purchase submit the questions in writing, do not rely on a salesman to know the answer or care whether they give you accurate information. If you have any problems with the flat after you move in, report everything in writing and keep a copy of the letter/ e-mail and any responses. Remember the agent works for the landlord not the tenant.

muskoka wrote: »

Hang on though - I moved into a rental place that was with Talk Talk - arranged to go with Plusnet & they only charged me £50 connection, instead of that over-inflated BT price. And I didnt need to take a contract out with Plusnet either.

PlusNet did a free connection nine months ago as I had a dialling tone, no contract on the landline but twelve months on the broadband IIRC (£6 a month cheapo). Also got cashback as I knew the number (17070) and went via Topcashback!