Virgin Media unavailable at new house

JJGreen

Hi everyone

I've searched through the forum and could only find some old issues similar to mine and wondered if there is an up to date position on early termination fees with Virgin Media. I am hoping to move house in May and am still in my minimum term with Virgin having entered into a new deal with them in September (not expecting to move!). I have contacted them regarding the move and when they told me they couldn't provide any services to my new property I expected to be told "sorry but we'll have to part ways"...but in actual fact was told I have to pay a hefty penalty fee. How can that be right?! I am very happy to continue receiving Virgin Media services, but they are unable to provide them...and yet I have to pay them a penalty fee! I have read through the Guidance on Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations and they seem to be in breach of section 2.7.1 which reads:

"A term which could allow the supplier to refuse to carry out his side of the contract or any important obligation under it, at his discretion and without liability, has clear potential to upset the balance of the contract to the consumer's disadvantage."

As well as section 15.1, which reads:

"A term binding customers to go on paying when goods or services are not provided as agreed is clearly open to even stronger objection."

However, I wondered if others on this forum had had similar dealings with Virgin recently and are able to confirm whether they do insist on this charge? Any help or advice would be gratefully received!

Thanks

kwikbreaks

This question does come up quite regularly.

When terminating your contract with VM because you are moving and they can't provide a service at the new property they will insist on payment of an early termination charge. It is you terminating the contract and not VM failing to provide the service they agreed to which is tied to the premises in the contract.