phone line issue in rental property

tumbledowngirl

Tenants have left the property.
We've tried calling the phone number for the property but got the message, "this number is unable to accept incoming calls".
Tried to call BT to find out the status of the phone line, but when I entered the phone number, was told by automatic message that it was not a BT number.

Does this simply mean the tenants have changed phone provider - and how do I find out which provider?

Dan-Dan

surely it means they took their number with them?

theartfullodger

When you pick up a handset (take spare 'phone with you if there is no 'phone there..) is there a dial-tone??

Is the phone number of any particular importance to you??

DaftyDuck

Stick a phone in the socket at the house. Dial 17070 and BT automated response will give you the number associated with that line... if it is still BT.

If it gives a dial tone, you can always phone your mobile, and see what number it throws up, then you are one step ahead.

SerialRenter

DaftyDuck wrote: »

Stick a phone in the socket at the house. Dial 17070 and BT automated response will give you the number associated with that line... if it is still BT.

If it gives a dial tone, you can always phone your mobile, and see what number it throws up, then you are one step ahead.

Good advice, but I believe at the moment the OP has been denied permission to enter the property.

Guess this isn't urgent, so +1 to this once you've got the tenants to abandon the tenancy.

tumbledowngirl

The number is of no importance to me, no.
Serial Renter is correct - we can't gain access to the property, so no way of checking as suggested.
Repossession is in the hands of a solicitor, so we're trying to find out what issues the tenants may have left us with, regarding utility companies etc.

I thought the phone nay have been cut off due to bill arrears.

tumbledowngirl

Dan-Dan wrote: »

surely it means they took their number with them?

If they took it with them, why then would it not accept incoming calls? (Apologies if this is a daft question).

Pixie5740

tumbledowngirl wrote: »

The number is of no importance to me, no.
Serial Renter is correct - we can't gain access to the property, so no way of checking as suggested.
Repossession is in the hands of a solicitor, so we're trying to find out what issues the tenants may have left us with, regarding utility companies etc.

I thought the phone nay have been cut off due to bill arrears.

Perhaps the current tenants informed the phone supplier that they were no longer living in the property and so the account has been moved to a different property with a new number. Even if there are arrears on any of utilities it won't make much difference to you. It's them that will owe any outstanding monies, not you.

Once you get access to the property again, just note, or even photograph the meter readings and contact the utility suppliers.

Any utility bills that you, or future tenants, get for the current tenants just return to sender or forward to their new address.

tumbledowngirl

Pixie5740 wrote: »

Perhaps the current tenants informed the phone supplier that they were no longer living in the property and so the account has been moved to a different property with a new number. Even if there are arrears on any of utilities it won't make much difference to you. It's them that will owe any outstanding monies, not you.

Once you get access to the property again, just note, or even photograph the meter readings and contact the utility suppliers.

Any utility bills that you, or future tenants, get for the current tenants just return to sender or forward to their new address.

Thanks for the advice.
My main concern was that they haven't told the phone supplier anything, but have actually not paid any bills and the line at the property has been disconnected as a result. I can see from info on BT' s site that to get the line reconnected, you have to pay the arrears - I was wondering whether we'd have to pay the tenants arrears in order to get the line connected for the next tenants moving in.

anselld

tumbledowngirl wrote: »

Thanks for the advice.
My main concern was that they haven't told the phone supplier anything, but have actually not paid any bills and the line at the property has been disconnected as a result. I can see from info on BT' s site that to get the line reconnected, you have to pay the arrears - I was wondering whether we'd have to pay the tenants arrears in order to get the line connected for the next tenants moving in.

Neither the previous tenant nor the new tenant utilities are any of your concern. The utility companies must chase the previous tenants for any arrears. The new tenants must pay for a line connection if they want one (unless you specifically advertised the property with an active phone line).

Sounds like the least of your problems to be honest!

tumbledowngirl

anselld wrote: »

Neither the previous tenant nor the new tenant utilities are any of your concern. The utility companies must chase the previous tenants for any arrears. The new tenants must pay for a line connection if they want one (unless you specifically advertised the property with an active phone line).

Sounds like the least of your problems to be honest!

Definitely the least of our problems right now, yes - but judging by what we were told by the solicitor, I'm anticipating it won't be the only problem they've left behind...