Chubb security system 'difference of opinion'

morganlefay

Not sure if this is right place for this. We bought our house in August this year. The previous owner, an elderly lady, died in Jan 2011 but her family left the house empty until this year. It has a quite sophisticated security system with panic buttons and a very complicated control box, none of which we want (or even understand). I have asked Chubb if they would like to come and remove it, but they say they will charge for this. I have said that we don't want their equipment in our house and that when we get the rewiring done we'll get our own electrician to remove all their stuff (and they could have it back if they want). I'm waiting for an answer.
Does anyone have any similar experience ? We have no contract with them, and don't want their stuff. But we aren't going to pay them to come and collect it. Any suggestions, please ?

Niv

How is it 'their' stuff? Was it rented by the previos owner? I think I may have missed something here.

theartfullodger

If it was rented (possible..) then any contract would have been with ex-owner (maybe her family) - not your problem. Most likely she bought the kit/paid for install (her property, as part of fabric of house now yours..) but may have had a support contract for panic calls etc etc etc

You could be unkind & keep hitting the panic button until they give up & surrender!!

Will you be asking BT to remove the telephone wiring, the water-board to remove all the plumbing, the gas company to remove the meter, pipes, boiler & oven?? As that's what you approach suggests...

morganlefay

Ummmm, you've made me think Niv. I just got a backdated July bill which I refused to pay as we don't want the system, but I just assumed that, like phones used to be back in the day, that the equipment remained their property. You might well be right, but I suspect thta if I read the previous owner's smallprint I would find that they go on owning it even when it's in your house. I shall go and look right now - thanks for the idea !

morganlefay

And thanks too, artfull, the 'thanks'button on your post has disappeared. I shall def read the small print, but as you both say : not my problem :beer:

How odd: artfull - your thanks button suddenly popped up !

p00hsticks

morganlefay wrote: »

And thanks too, artfull, the 'thanks'button on your post has disappeared.

morganlefay wrote: »

How odd: artfull - your thanks button suddenly popped up !

It's probably because you were initially looking at the post before you then logged in to make your reply - the 'Thanks' button only appears if you're actually logged in.

propertyman

If it is theirs, then it's up to them to claim title to it.
It's a contractual muddle to say who is right in this, but they have no claim on you to pay for it, nor are they obligated to remove it, nor can you insist that they do so without enacting any penalties or removal cost.

Take it down carefully and pack it up with the wiring and tell them its here if they want it, and pop it in the attic.

Wait six years and then bin it.

Fire_Fox

You can't take action until you know who this stuff belongs to and who is contracted to pay for either renting it or the associated service. IMO you have jumped the gun asking Chubb to do anything. Ask for a copy of the contract and read it, if they won't give you a copy because of data protection you know you are not contracted to pay for anything.

laidbackgjr

You may well find in the details, that like utilities and council tax, when you bought the property you automatically took over the Chubb security contract as well.

Agree with FireFox, find out the exact contractual arrangements in place and then terminate and remove in line with these.

propertyman

laidbackgjr wrote: »

You may well find in the details, that like utilities and council tax, when you bought the property you automatically took over the Chubb security contract as well.

Agree with FireFox, find out the exact contractual arrangements in place and then terminate and remove in line with these.

Sadly both you and firefox are wrong

Unlike utilities where the supply has statutory authority, they too like council tax only commence with ownership or liability and you are not encumbered by the last persons debt or contract.

While Chubb have a contract to install a system in that home their contract "passed on" to the estate, not the new owner.

The OP and Chubb can only look to the estate, and neither can force the other to do anything. If Chubb want the rented the system they can now only enter the home with a court order.

They are not going to becasue of the expense, and its cheaper to write it off than come and remove as who would they sell it to- would you buy a second hand system for your granny?!

Take it down pack it up let them know, and wait six years.

Fire_Fox

propertyman wrote: »

Sadly both you and firefox are wrong

Unlike utilities where the supply has statutory authority, they too like council tax only commence with ownership or liability and you are not encumbered by the last persons debt or contract.

You misread my post, I didn't say or suggest the OP was liable I was after them proving that they are not.