New tennants ab(used) my phone line

seminolas

Hi all,

I had to move out of my rented property with short notice, which meant that my phone line was still active when I left. The new tenants have managed to rack up about 80 quid worth of phone calls on the line before it was cut. I got their email address from my landlady, but they're not responding (and I was polite).

What can I do? I tried speaking to the provider, but as far as they are concerned the calls were made under my contract, so I have to pay. I said I could have my landlady email them the new tenants' contract, stating the day they moved in. But they won't get involved in it. Neither will my landlady. I'm out of the country, so I can't put any face-to-face pressure either.

What do I do?

Many thanks :-)

powerful_Rogue

seminolas wrote: »

Hi all,

I had to move out of my rented property with short notice, which meant that my phone line was still active when I left. The new tenants have managed to rack up about 80 quid worth of phone calls on the line before it was cut. I got their email address from my landlady, but they're not responding (and I was polite).

What can I do? I tried speaking to the provider, but as far as they are concerned the calls were made under my contract, so I have to pay. I said I could have my landlady email them the new tenants' contract, stating the day they moved in. But they won't get involved in it. Neither will my landlady. I'm out of the country, so I can't put any face-to-face pressure either.

What do I do?

Many thanks :-)

Did you advise the landlady the phone line was still active and to ask the new tenants not to use it? How long was the phone line active for after you moved out?

All I can suggest is send a Letter Before Action to the tenants at the address requesting they pay for the calls they made within the next 14 days otherwise you will commence proceedings in the Small Claims Court.

Hintza

all you can do is pay it and then take them to the small claims court. I'm not sure if you will win though.

powerful_Rogue

Hintza wrote: »

all you can do is pay it and then take them to the small claims court. I'm not sure if you will win though.

That was my thinking as well. Bit of a tough call unless they were specifically made aware not to use the phone.

daytona0

Youll need to take either housemates or if negligent the phone company (ie if you requested cancellation and they didn't action this) to small claims

You'll need evidence to show you didn't make the calls and even then you may be penalised for not cancelling or changing the payee details, especially if you made the service available previously. You have an ok chance in small claims I re kon

arcon5

Even if you wanted to take it to court you don't have their personal info and the LL isn't entitled to give it to you

Morglin

seminolas wrote: »

Hi all,

I had to move out of my rented property with short notice, which meant that my phone line was still active when I left. The new tenants have managed to rack up about 80 quid worth of phone calls on the line before it was cut. I got their email address from my landlady, but they're not responding (and I was polite).

What can I do? I tried speaking to the provider, but as far as they are concerned the calls were made under my contract, so I have to pay. I said I could have my landlady email them the new tenants' contract, stating the day they moved in. But they won't get involved in it. Neither will my landlady. I'm out of the country, so I can't put any face-to-face pressure either.

What do I do?

Many thanks :-)

Short notice?

It takes about 10 minutes to advise a phone company you are moving!

Lin :doh:

InsideInsurance

seminolas wrote: »

I had to move out of my rented property with short notice, which meant that my phone line was still active when I left. The new tenants have managed to rack up about 80 quid worth of phone calls

How short a notice are we talking here? Evidently the landlord has managed to advertise the property, find new tenants, reference them, they've arranged their move and got into the property. It doesnt sound like hours notice.

I've had to move with 48 hours notice before and that was more than enough for BT to cease the line. How much notice did you give your provider?

The story doesnt sound to stack up but assuming its genuine then go back to your original contract with your provider to see what notice period they require to cease the line. If its less than what you gave them then you have an argument against them.

seminolas

I moved out on 14 days' notice. My notice to the provider was 30 days. I totally forgot that it was that long, so I actually gave it in about 10 days before moving out. The new tenants moved in a few days after we left, so they had a few weeks until the line was ultimately terminated.

InsideInsurance

seminolas wrote: »

I moved out on 14 days' notice. My notice to the provider was 30 days. I totally forgot that it was that long, so I actually gave it in about 10 days before moving out. The new tenants moved in a few days after we left, so they had a few weeks until the line was ultimately terminated.

I would still challenge your provider for not ceasing the line.

I know with BT I had to pay more than 48 hours line rental due to the notice period but the ceasing the line still happened within the timeframe. Given they all use OpenReach (exc VM) there is no reason why anyone should require more subject to what you asked them to do on the phone

halibut2209

powerful_Rogue wrote: »

That was my thinking as well. Bit of a tough call unless they were specifically made aware not to use the phone.

Doesn't seem like a tough call to me. I doubt that any judge would consider it reasonable to presume that if the phone is connected then you don't have to pay for the calls you make!

Basic rule of thumb - you make calls, you pay for them.