Transfer of phone line when buying house

tommy060289

Hi everyone,

Me and my partner have recently exchanged contracts on our first house and have a completion of 20th December. We both currently live with our parents so have no utilities or anything to take with us but we know the providers for the house we are buying (ie gas, water and electric) so will need to contact them to set up an account with these until we have decided who we want to supply our utilities.

The one I am unsure about is how the phone line works. The vendors are currently supplied by EE for their broadband and phone line so when they leave on the 20th obviously they will arrange to take their broadband with them to their new property as they will take their router/modem with them but what about the phone line. I plan to go with BT for our phone line and broadband but on the 20th will I need to phone up EE and set up an account with them before I can make an order for BT phoneline/broadband or will the phone line effectively become inactive on the 20th and I am free to just place an order with BT on the 20th?

Sorry if it doesn't quite make sense but look forward to the replies:)

Cheers,

Tom

donfanatico

Go online to BT and check The postcode then Apply for phone line. The infrastrukture stays put regardless of supplier.
Or check virgin media if you are I cable area. They can supply phone tv and broadband so you can preorder for installation on specific date if you need it from the 20th

Paully232000

tommy060289 wrote: »

Hi everyone,

Me and my partner have recently exchanged contracts on our first house and have a completion of 20th December. We both currently live with our parents so have no utilities or anything to take with us but we know the providers for the house we are buying (ie gas, water and electric) so will need to contact them to set up an account with these until we have decided who we want to supply our utilities.

The one I am unsure about is how the phone line works. The vendors are currently supplied by EE for their broadband and phone line so when they leave on the 20th obviously they will arrange to take their broadband with them to their new property as they will take their router/modem with them but what about the phone line. I plan to go with BT for our phone line and broadband but on the 20th will I need to phone up EE and set up an account with them before I can make an order for BT phoneline/broadband or will the phone line effectively become inactive on the 20th and I am free to just place an order with BT on the 20th?

Sorry if it doesn't quite make sense but look forward to the replies:)

Cheers,

Tom

this is what has always happened with me in the past, current owners will let EE know of their moving date to get final bills etc and when they want the line to cease. Then you phone BT and order a line. You will more than likely be without a landline for a bit while it is connected, but this shouldn't be for long

tommy060289

Excellent. Thank you very much for the info:)

highguyuk

Developing this scenario, let's say you wanted a phone line with Primus. Do you ring BT first, they set up, and then Primus. Or just straight to Primus?

Paully232000

just phone primus

donfanatico

highguyuk wrote: »

Developing this scenario, let's say you wanted a phone line with Primus. Do you ring BT first, they set up, and then Primus. Or just straight to Primus?

Any copper provider to BT first

highguyuk

2 posts, 2 different answers. The plot thickens!

hazyjo

I moved to a house (in April) which didn't have a phone (prob did in the past, but nothing that was still connected). I chose to go with SKY. They didn't charge any connection fees (BT would have). I also have my BB with them (and SKY TV, movies, sport, etc), and any time calls. I negotiated just over £50 per month for all.

(Know you weren't looking for advice re that, but wanted to say bear it in mind as BT may well charge you a connection fee!)

They were round within a week of me moving in. No complaints so far.

Jx

donfanatico

highguyuk wrote: »

2 posts, 2 different answers. The plot thickens!

OK might have changed these days, I am on cable now but before when i went with a copper ADSL provider they would always tell me to get a line with BT first then switch to whoever I wanted.

If there is a 'phone box' already installed as it appears to be in the OPs case there shouldn't be any connection fee. they only charge if the need to install a box.

pinkteapot

These days the provider (Sky in our case, Primus in yours) deals with BT on your behalf. You shouldn't have to speak to them.

Phone Primus first. If there is any need for you to contact BT, they'll soon tell you.