Confused re: phone lines

desperate+determined

Hi,

Just need some advice, really confused by all the varied information re: phone lines.

We're moving house this friday and found out that the house doesn't have a BT line but is with Talk Talk. We have a contract with BT at our current house.

BT says cost £130 to install line and we need to do this as tied into a contract with them for 12 months. (we cant afford this) They say to leave the contract it will cost us too.

Tried to talk to Talk Talk but couldn't get the information I wanted.

I.e Can have pay a line rental to Talk Talk and keep BT package or do I need Talk Talk package, never come across this situation before for us - so all new territory.

I know some peoples view will be we choose to move so just pay it. But we're moving as i got made redundant and couldn't afford our current house so not through choice but neccessity.

Any advice greatful, thanks for reading.

Heinz

You should be able to get BT line rental at the new place although migration from Talk Talk can be difficult.

Phone BT and explain about the Talk Talk line and that you are an currently a BT customer at your exisiting place. Then say you want the exisiting Talk Talk line returned to BT on a 'return to donor' basis. That should be free of charge.

Quentin

If BT want to charge for a new phone line, then look at getting it done by the post office who currently do it free.

macman

Even if it's an LLU line, it should be possible to get a free return to donor back to BT, this will require a 12m line rental contract (not broadband) with BT. And this gets you out of paying an ETC to BT on your existing contract.
However you may have to pay a reconnection charge if the outgoing occupiers have the service terminated.

Phones4Chris

I agree with Heinz, you shouldn't have to pay a reconnection or installation charge, and Quentin's idea for a second choice. I haven't been with BT for years so don't know their current Ts&Cs, I'd have a good read, but I would have thought moving house lets you escape some of the possible penalties especially if it's a different exchange area.

macman

A home move does not void your contract or liability to pay an ETC if you are still in a minimum term contract. However if you take the service with you then the move is free, subject to a working BT line being available.