What to do with phone line - void when buying house to rent out

tillycat123

I'm in the process of buying a house that I will be renting out. The property apparently is connected to plusnet with the current owner.

The house will be empty for a short time whilst I decorate and get things fixed.

What should I do regarding the phone line? I don't want to be paying for a line that will have no use whilst the house is empty but I also don't want a reconnection charge.

Do I tell plusnet I don't want the line and hope that it's previously been with BT at some stage, from what I have found online BT would reconnect for free if they have had the line At some stage previously.

I can't seem to find a clear answer so I wondered how other landlords deal with this void?

Doozergirl

The previous owner owns the phone line - they're likely to take the number with them, so it will be cut off. If they don't tell them they've moved then it's still their responsibility to pay the bill.

Also, if you're renting it out then there is no need for you to have any communication with any phone company. If the tenant wants a line, they can organise it.

Phone isn't like gas and electric which stay on, regardless and where you need to take on the void periods.

tillycat123

Just to add then the current owner is moving abroad so from what you say it's perhaps best to check with plusnet how she left it as I don't want the service. She is unaware that I will be letting the house and will assume I'm moving in.

Pixie5740

Plusnet aren't going to discuss someone else's account with you. The current Plusnet account belongs to the current occupier of the property, not the property itself as Doozergirl explained.

When your tenant moves in they will (should) contact the utility companies to set up their own accounts. It's really very straightforward.

tillycat123

Ok thanks both, I'm obviously over thinking this.

EmmyLou30

Just had this myself. We took Talk Talk with us to our new house, tenant moved into our old place and set up Sky for their phone with a new number which they then moved to their new home when they left - the house is between tenants at the moment so has no phone. When the new tenants move in they can arrange connection to whichever provider they need. Like another poster said - it's not like gas, electric, water and council tax which you take back control of when your tenants leave.