BT moving house, new 12month line rental

fisnik

On the BT website I was going the process of moving by BT Broadband to a new address. It looked quite good as it didn't seem like any extra charges would apply. Then at the last stages at the bottom it said that a new 12 month line rental contract would apply.

I'm already 6 months into my contract for phone and broadband and definitely do not intend on staying as even with the haggling it would work out cheaper to switch if you consider cashback from a new supplier etc.

If I chose to move my BT broadband across will I be forced to wait another 6 months with an expensive broadband option as I won't be able to change to different supplier until my line rental contract is up? Or would you be able to pay BT for line rental and buy the broadband aspect from a different supplier? Just a seems a bit strange that they force a new 12month line rental contract on you.

iniltous

By moving its you not BT that are changing the terms of your existing contract, you don't have to use BT at your new address, you could use whoever you want, but would have to pay BT early termination charges, as you are breaking the terms of the contract ( nothing wrong with this, pretty common T&C with most providers)
....chances are that if you paid ETC and used someone else at your new address, that would require a new minimum term with that 'new' company (so a 12/18/24 months minimum term) , so unless you used a niche provider that didn't insist on a lengthy minimum term, you are no worse off , use BT you start a new minimum term contract at the new address, use someone else, start a new minimum term contract at the new address , difference is you pay off the old contract at the old address.
If , even taking ETC's into account, you can get a better deal from someone other than BT , then obviously take it, but its not clear what your complaint with BT is about, you would be in the same position with almost every other provider if you moved while still inside the minimum term of a contract, BT are at least offering the option of waiving the ETC if you take another minimum term with them, you don't have to take the offer, but should accept that you do have to pay the ETC's , or don't move until the minimum term has expired

fisnik

It's not a complaint. Not sure you understood what I meant.

What I'm saying is that the remaining broadband portion of the contract can be transferred to the new address, so I'll have 6 months left on my broadband portion at the a new address.
But a new 12 month line rental contract will start at the new address. They even offer you the option of paying it in advance, it's cheaper if you pay it off for the year.

What I don't understand is how will that leave after 6 months. My broadband contract will have run out so that will hike up in price but I will be forced to stay with BT as I'm still within the 12 month line rental contract which at that time will have 6 months remaining.
They might as well renew the whole BT and broadband contract when I move instead of them being out of kilter I guess.

Trying to make it as clear as I can but I can understand it's a bit of a confusing scenario.

iniltous

Unlike Sky or Talk Talk , with BT you can have line rental with BT but broadband with someone else,( they tend to be smaller, niche providers) as you say , you will end up with contracts that have different minimum terms, ( this may well be by design)...why they don't insist on a new broadband minimum term is a mystery , presumably they could if they wanted to...but most would see this as good not bad.
I suppose it's what you want to do in the future, do you want both line rental and broadband to have the same minimum term date ?, do you want the option of being able to change provider ASAP , is not paying ETC's a priority ?
Presumably if BT said both the broadband and line rental would start a new minimum 12 month term it may be easier to decide what to do, but presumably (unless getting rid of BT is the priority) you take BT LR saving the ETC, in six months you can negotiate with BT for a new b/b deal or move to a provider that allows BT line rental with their broadband, (so not Sky or TT) or in six months move to a new LLU provider and pay ETC's then, or pay ETC's now and use someone other than BT at your new address from the start, only you will know what's best for you

JJ_Egan

Can you not pay line rental monthly as normal ??

fisnik

I assume the early termination charge will be the cost of the subscription for the 6 months remaining.

I would prefer to move my account which I guess might still be the most economical way of doing this. Didn't know that providers still did broadband with the line rental from another provider. Preferably someone that doesn't tie you in for a new 12 months. I remember it used to be like that in the early days of broadband. Will try to have a look at that and can make a decision as to what to do once the 6 months are up.

fisnik

JJ_Egan wrote: »

Can you not pay line rental monthly as normal ??

Yea I guess not. They tie you up for a new 12 month line rental contract but not for broadband when you move. At least that's what the website process implied.

billsavings

You dont have to pay your 12 month contact line rental service in advance it can be paid monthly. Then you terminate it when it suits you and early termination charges will apply.

http://www.bt.co.uk/pricing/current/Exch_Lines_boo/0011_d0e2917.htm

If you paid line rental saver up front you would not be entitled to a refund anyway.

With a bit of luck BT might be increasing their charges at that time and your be able to get out of jail free