Rented property - quickest cheapest connection?

Kilty_2

I'm moving into a rented property which should have an existing phone line that the previous tenant has been using.

What's the quickest cheapest way to get it up and running again after I move in with the shortest contract term possible for the line rental? Not even that fussed about using it for calls, need broadband.

I've had trouble with this in the past, O2 tried to charge me a £100 or so connection charge for a line in a property that had a working line :eek:

diamonds

Post office free install till 20/5 - no tie in period either

macman

Since it's BT OR who will reconnect you, it makes no differencec whatsoever which telcom you take your line rental with. 3 weeks lead time is fairly typical.
BT OR charge the same whether it's a new line provision or a reconnecton-the standard retail charge is £130.
The PO will charge a small ETC of £15 if you leave within 6 months.

Kilty_2

Do Openreach actually need to attend to "install" / "connect" the line even though the previous tenant had an active phone line?!

Seems ludicrous to me, but this is the problem I had in a previous rental property (I gave up and just used mobile broadband!)

diamonds - that'd have been perfect but I don't move in until the 6th of June

Fred_Bear_2

macman wrote: »

BT OR charge the same whether it's a new line provision or a reconnecton-the standard retail charge is £130.

As far as I know BT will charge only £40.00 if ordered online.

This is only needed if there is no existing line.

Fred

macman

Kilty wrote: »

Do Openreach actually need to attend to "install" / "connect" the line even though the previous tenant had an active phone line?!

Seems ludicrous to me, but this is the problem I had in a previous rental property (I gave up and just used mobile broadband!)

diamonds - that'd have been perfect but I don't move in until the 6th of June

No, but you will need to be present at the property on the day of reconnection in case acess is required. It's not ludicrous, because OR have no idea what condition the line is in until they try to reconnect it. The cost is the same for reconnection or a new line provision.

Fred_Bear_2

macman wrote: »

No, but you will need to be present at the property on the day of reconnection in case acess is required. It's not ludricrous, because OR have no idea what condition the line is in until they try to reconnect it. The cost is the same for reconnection or a new line provision.

Hi macman. Suppose the previous tenant left last week and of course cancelled his contract. What would the engineer have to do at the premises?

jhp

Your only allowed to discuss UW on this dedicated thread
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2473547

and as you have discovered its not that cheap.

Normally £69 connection if you need a new line i believe,and at least a 12 month contract.

Leaving the membership fee to one side ,despite what they say they dont offer UK,s cheapest line rental.

macman

Fred_Bear wrote: »

Hi macman. Suppose the previous tenant left last week and of course cancelled his contract. What would the engineer have to do at the premises?

It depends if the line has been disconnected or not. The OR engineer won't necessarily have to do anything at the premises, or even enter them. But as I said, access must be available should the need arise-otherwise you would be charged for an additional call out at about £130.

Fred_Bear_2

I find this all very confusing.

According to Plusnet a line can be:
1. Active i.e. in use, or
2. Stopped i.e. not in use, or
3. Ceased i.e. physically disconnected eg at the cabinet

In my DD's case the line is active or stopped and Plusnet would 'connect' free of charge. (Engineer's visit not required.)
Another company whose name I cannot mention on this thread are adamant that the line is active (even quoted part of the telephone number) and they would connect free of charge. (Engineer's visit not required.)

When I phoned BT the conversation went like this:
BT: "The line is stopped so we will charge £40 (for 18 month contract. or £130 for 12 months contract.)
Fred: "You mean the line is ceased?
BT "No, ceased means only temporarily stopped.
Fred "Ceased means physically disconnected doesn't it?"
BT: "Yes, the line is ceased not stopped.
Fred: "That's clear now.

Plusnet say that as the line is not ceased, they will connect free of charge. (Otherwise they would charge £69) I am worried that after ordering the line and broadband Plusnet will discover that they will in fact have to charge £69.

Kilty_2

jhp wrote: »

Your only allowed to discuss UW on this dedicated thread
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2473547
.

Great. Explains why my post was removed then (thanks mods, a PM to explain would've helped...)