Early Sky Cancellation

Anewbie

Hi guys I hope someone has some idea how to get me out of this pickle.

I've recently gone through a pretty nasty breakup and moved out of the house shared as a couple.

I am locked into a Sky contract for another 12+ months and am currently paying for my ex to watch Sky in the comfort of our once shared home without having to pay a single penny.

It is pretty expensive over £60 a month and it's an expense i really can't afford at the moment in time while moving home and setting myself back up again... Especially when i don't get any benefit from it.

Unfortunately even if I could afford to have the service moved, it's a nightmare getting any kind of works done to my landlords building and they often drag their feet.

Any advise or suggestions would be great. - Is anyone else in this position?

If I've posted in the wrong section I apologise, i'm new to this.

Thanks in advance

[Deleted User]

You can pay Sky an Early Termination of Contract (ETC) fee, but it's usually very nearly as much as you'd pay for the remaining period of your minimum term. If no children are involved, this might be something you'd consider to spite your ex. Otherwise, simply continue paying until the term is up and then cancel without penalty.

mije1983

I'd probably pay the ETC as mentioned by Moneyineptitude rather than let the term run it's course.

Purely because if he has free access to the Sky you are paying for he could easily take advantage and use additional features like Box Office and Sky Store that would get added to your bill. I'm assuming here he knows the PIN of course.

If you decide to take this route, you may have to push Sky quite hard to get them to actually cancel it, as there are stories of people being told they can't cancel. Just make it clear you wish to cancel and pay the ETC there and then.

[Deleted User]

Although Sky mention charges on their 'moving home' page you can get them to waive the charges apparently. Of course you would require the box and card although you could always tell them that they're just not available to you anymore. This would require a new card from Sky and a new or 2nd hand box to put it in if you can't get the original somehow.

You then have to get the dish installed (if there's not one there already) and may have to deal with your new landlord. It's a lot cheaper than paying ETC or over a years worth of subscription costs.

macman

If you 'move' the service then your LL doesn't have to do anything: Sky will do the install with a new dish. You will however need your LL's consent to erect the dish. Sky do not start a new minimum term if you do this, unlike many providers.
Alternatively, you are free to remove the dish and Sky box from your old property, if you have access, and if the contract is in your sole name. These are your property, not Sky's or the occupier's. It's not a leasing arrangement. Only the viewing card is theirs.Then arrange a dish install via a private contractor, inform Sky of an address change, and you're good to go.
Your ex will then be stuck with Freeview, assuming they've still got an aerial left...

poppasmurf_bewdley

You should at least reduce the package to the cheapest possible, with 31 days notice.

But you can ask Sky to cancel the contract with 31 days notice due to extenuating circumstances. They did that for me two months ago when I moved into a conservation area where satellite dishes are not allowed.

macman

I don't think they would allow you to terminate early without an ETC on the grounds of a relationship breakdown, because the potential for abusing that would be huge. The world and his (ex) wife would be using it. It's very easy to demonstrate that your property is in a conservation area, but how do you prove a relationship breakdown, unless you have a legal separation agreement or a divorce? As far as Sky are concerned, the OP has changed addresses, for whatever reason, so should request a home move.
NB: dishes are usually permitted in CA's, but not on the street frontage. Usually fine on the rear or side of the property, or (if that does not give you an adequate line of sight), then in the garden on a short post. Of course, the average Sky installer just wants to shove it above the front window and be gone in 20 mins...