Virgin Media Theft

aaron87

A previous tenant that used to live in my house had virgin media, they had the HD Box and the Modem. Now that I live here, I got a package with TiVo, HD Box and a new Modem, the HD Box is in my dining room, two doors away from the front door.

The ex tenant came around today with a Virgin engineer (when I was out) and my friend that doesn't live here let them in, they was apparently collecting their old equipment, which I don't have as it isn't my responsibility and un-wired my HD box in my dining room? I've contact Virgin and they are arranging for the engineer to return my HD Box, so that isn't a problem, but can I be petty for this inconvenience and demand something in return?

visidigi

Speak to your 'friend' they let them in.

VM don't owe you anything, you should seek compensation from your ex tennant.

I do find your comment about not having the old equipment as its not your responsibility a little odd - does this mean you did something with the old equipment when you moved in?

aaron87

visidigi wrote: »

Speak to your 'friend' they let them in.

VM don't owe you anything, you should seek compensation from your ex tennant.

I do find your comment about not having the old equipment as its not your responsibility a little odd - does this mean you did something with the old equipment when you moved in?

The only thing they had left behind was a modem box, which I kept in the cupboard, which was taken too. There was no other HD box, it must of been packed away with the ex ten's stuff.

Are you telling me, Virgin are allowed to come into my house without my knowledge and take a HD Box that is in my name without my consent? I've read the T&Q's and yes, I am renting it off them, and it is their property but surely if I'm still paying full price for it surely I have some rights to have it in my property and not have one of their engineers take it away without checking the appropriate details that it was the correct box.

halibut2209

They did have consent from your friend.

aaron87

halibut2209 wrote: »

They did have consent from your friend.

According to my friend his exact words where "Is it like that one" (pointing at my HD Box) and the engineer said, "yes thats the one" and disconnected it and removed it from my house.

halibut2209

But with your friend's consent. Virgin are arranging to return it, so I'm not entirely sure what you think they've done wrong.

frugal_mike

Sounds like a mistake to me, which they've put right. Potentially you could get a discount for the time you don't have the box since they weren't providing the service you're paying for.

Tell your friend not to let anyone into your house.

aaron87

I'm not sure I understand, the VM is in my name, I have agreed and signed a contract with them, surely that means the box belongs to me and without my consent they cannot touch the box? Its irrelevant if he thought it was their old box or not, he surely should of taken the correct procedures to check the serial no. or anything?

visidigi

aaron87 wrote: »

I'm not sure I understand, the VM is in my name, I have agreed and signed a contract with them, surely that means the box belongs to me and without my consent they cannot touch the box? Its irrelevant if he thought it was their old box or not, he surely should of taken the correct procedures to check the serial no. or anything?

The box never belongs to you, it always belongs to Virgin Media. They were let in your house they took their property.

Lets flip this round, what do you think you are entitled to and on what grounds?

unholyangel

aaron87 wrote: »

I'm not sure I understand, the VM is in my name, I have agreed and signed a contract with them, surely that means the box belongs to me and without my consent they cannot touch the box? Its irrelevant if he thought it was their old box or not, he surely should of taken the correct procedures to check the serial no. or anything?

Didnt you say earlier you're only renting the box off them?

Virgin retain ownership of hardware. They technically could refuse to give it back - although they could not insist that you continue to pay for the service if they're not going to provide it.

The most you're legally entitled to is a partial refund of your tv services to account for the time you have not had usage of your services.

aaron87

visidigi wrote: »

The box never belongs to you, it always belongs to Virgin Media. They were let in your house they took their property.

Lets flip this round, what do you think you are entitled to and on what grounds?

As unholyangel said, I am entitled to some kind of discount to compensate not being able to use the service I'm paying for.

unholyangel wrote: »

The most you're legally entitled to is a partial refund of your tv services to account for the time you have not had usage of your services.