BT Line: Who pays - LL or Tenant?

ScarletBea

wymondham wrote: »

in my experience, read into this as it is probably likely to be the start of a long list of things the landlord won't pay ...

Wymondham, what kind of things?
I can't think of things you'd ask a landlord that are dependent on goodwill. I've rented for 3 years and the only thing I ever asked the landlord was to fix a water leak in the sink, and that is in the contract as facility maintenance, not a question of being nice or not. As Barcode said, we now know our rights as tenants.
Or maybe I just don't know how the english work

BTman

Fair comments GG, no offence taken.:p
I'm sure theres plenty of people who have been ripped off by BT, being a very large company, (I only bill BTL landlords anyway;))
Was you ripped off though? I think the call out charge is very high, £116 plus £100 per hour!! We're told we shouldn't "means test" customers (now called end-users, because the service provider is our customer..).
As you say BT used to be publicly owned, perhaps people (especially older customers) expect a better service from BT because of that fact, and maybe to be "let off" charges etc.. we're targeted on TRC (time related charges).
I didn't mean to jump down your throat.. I know through practice how very difficult it can be to speak to the right person in the right department when dealing with BT.;)
The official line is that I don't work for "BT" as such anymore anyway.
I work for openreach which is the division of BT group.
"BT" is a service provider and is treated the same as any other service provider. Were governed very strictly by OfCom.
I don't use BT as my service provider :eek:(shhhh), being an MSE member..:cool:

I'm a little puzzled as to why you need to use BT for your broadband? Are you tied into a contract?
Serious ramble, sorry...

franklee

ScarletBea wrote: »

Wymondham, what kind of things?

ScarletBea are you Barcode's girlfriend? It's a little confusing as Barcode is the OP, so I assume you must be. In which case I'd listen to her on this she has the right idea IMO.

Thinking about it there's loads of new builds round here, a tenant could easily move from one to another and cop the BT connection fee more than once. What's more the initial AST contract is often for six months only after which you could be asked to move if the LL decides to sell, which it sounds like yours is considering, so you could just view the fee as an extra twenty quid per month on the rent.

BTman wrote: »

I'm a little puzzled as to why you need to use BT for your broadband? Are you tied into a contract? Serious ramble, sorry...

Is there an alternative in an area where there isn't cable? I'd be interested if there is.

BTman

franklee wrote: »

Is there an alternative in an area where there isn't cable? I'd be interested if there is.

Providing you are not signed up to a contract you can take your business elsewhere. (They still use BT lines though, so you wont get a faster broadband service no matter what they promise...)
You normally only have to sign up to 3/6/12 month contract if you have a new line installed. (because BT subsidize the cost of installation;))
You might / might not still have to pay line rental to BT, some SP's are offering line rental as well now. (Primus do, but I'm tied in for 12 months, yes I had to pay for an full install..)
I personally follow the Heinz plan in the telephones board (in utilities forum). Well worth a look IMO.