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Possible to change account holder? (BT)

Our LL has lined up a new tenant to move in as soon as we move out, so to make things easier for all parties, we've discussed the new tenant taking over our phone line and broadband supply. (We're moving out of the area, so don't need/want to take the phone number with us.)

Our ISP is happy to change the account holder with the new tenant's permission, but BT have stated they must disconnect our line and start a new contract with the new tenant. This of course would mean the internet getting cut off, which is what we wanted to avoid.

Is there no way around this? I thought about cancelling our DD and changing the account holder name online, but it gets messy because our next bill covers everything apart from our last couple of weeks in the property and obviously we would need to make sure the new tenant didn't pay for our standing charges/call charges etc. I'm also wondering if there would be any credit rating implications to changing the name on the contract and if we would end up linked etc.

Would appreciate your thoughts - in particular, if there's a more appropriate BT phone number to try.

Thanks,
c-kj

Comments

  • brewerdave
    brewerdave Posts: 8,614 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 26 February 2012 am29 9:17AM
    Nope, you shafted like everyone by BT
  • Buzby
    Buzby Posts: 8,275 Forumite
    There needs to be a finite change, the is the demarcation between the old customer and new - when it was simply a phone line, it was pretty easy, but with BB this cannot be done. It should be possible for a concurrent transfer, so there is no installation charge - but it is something you need to get them to confirm, as the cost catches many out when it IS applied.
  • st999
    st999 Posts: 1,574 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Don't do it!

    You will give yourself years of HELL!
  • Thanks for the posts - it seems it's a lost cause. Shame, because the new tenant is going to go with different companies for the phone and broadband. BT have done themselves out of future revenue - and the ISP, which is absolutely lovely, is also going to lose custom.

    Best,
    c-kj
  • ScarletBea
    ScarletBea Posts: 2,921 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Good to have found this thread.
    I wanted to do the same, because my BT contract/landline is still in my ex's name, despite it being close to 3 years that I've lived alone, paying everything off my account.
    I changed the name online and I thought that was that, until a few months ago I got a call from BT, and they called me by my ex's name, and when I mentioned the situation, they said that changing would involve cancelling the current contract and creating a new one. Since I was halfway through the line-saver year, they told me to wait, since it didn't make any difference.
    Now that will be over mid next month and I was thinking of doing the name change now, but everything I've read online tells me to stay very much clear of that action, and even if the BT people tell me the name doesn't matter, only the address/bill account, I think I'll just leave it, renew the line-saver, and ignore the rest.
    I can just see myself without net and phone for weeks, while they mess up the change - especially having had the initial experience: when we first moved here there were loads of problems to install the line in the first place....
    Being brave is going after your dreams head on
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