Transfer of Virgin media account from someone with debts

DepositSaver

Hi

I'm not sure if this is the right section for this query, but if not please do let me know where might be better.

My query is this:
I live in a shared house. We have Virgin Media broadband in the name of one of my housemates who was already living in the house when I moved in. She pays the bill and the rest of us give her our share. She sometimes has problems making sure she has enough money to cover the monthly direct debit (she is in debt to various creditors and I think has payment plans in place for some of them) and I think may have had late payments.

After a problem with her payment not being received a couple of months ago she asked if I would mind if the account was transferred to my name as I would always be able to pay the bill, and she would only have to find her share and not the whole amount. At the time I didn't really think much of it and said I'd be happy to do so, but this hasn't been done yet.

Since then I have decided to start saving for a house deposit and have been researching mortgages and credit ratings. I am wondering whether transferring the account to my name would associate her financial affairs with mine in any way? Would/could it affect my credit rating or chances of getting credit in the future?

Many thanks in advance

macman

You can't transfer an account in this way-you'd need to set up a new account in your name. The DD can be switched over into anyone's account you wish, but the responsibility for paying the actual bill, and the consequent debt if they don't, remains with the original account holder.

DepositSaver

Thank you for this. I wonder if my housemate was confused by the terminology Virgin? She was talking about transferring the account to my name and had spoken to Virgin about it. I've just done some browsing in their support forum and found this posted by a virgin employee (spelling errors theirs not mine):
"you would need to contact customer service via 150 or 0845 454 1111 and ask them for TOR (transfer of responsisbilty) forms, this is to transfer the accont from your anme into their name, there is a few about £20"
which makes it sound as if you can just change a name, but is it actually a new account that's being set up and responsibility for the boradband line which is being transferred? Their FAQs tell you to contact them if you want to change the name on the account, which again suggests that it can be done.

Buzby

Whoever takes on the account will have to agree to being credit searched and all their payments to account recorded. In your situation, it would be easier to keep things as they are, but simply using your account to fund it - assuming this is fine with you. There is no 'transfer' but a new account created with you becoming fully liable.

DepositSaver

Buzby wrote: »

Whoever takes on the account will have to agree to being credit searched and all their payments to account recorded. In your situation, it would be easier to keep things as they are, but simply using your account to fund it - assuming this is fine with you. There is no 'transfer' but a new account created with you becoming fully liable.

Thanks for this. I don't really want to have to open a new account just to stay with the same provider, seems an unnecessary credit search. If we decide to do anything it will just be moving the direct debit.

macman

I'd also guess that doing a TOR with VM will also start you on a new minimum term, as does just about any change with them.
Be aware that switching the DD does not make you responsible for the debt-that responsibility remains with the named account holder.