Moving house damaged BT wiring

Invalid_Username

We moved in to our new house today. The previous owner appears to have somehow damaged the wiring for the telephone. The wiring looks old and wasn't like the modern wiring we had at our last house. The main issue is that the wires look snapped.

BT moved our phone and broadband from our old house to our new house today. However there's no dial tone, confirming the wires are snapped.

I called BT. They did a line test and suggested there was a fault. They then said they'd have to send an engineer out to fit a new socket etc. However as the damage is on the inside of my house they want £129 from me!

I was surprised at this as a previous call saw BT state they'd expect the work to be free if it was confirmed as being needed once my line was active because I'm moving to a new house.

I've been advised that BT should do this work for free by someone but they couldn't say why that's the case. I've googled but can't find any rules to back this up.

Does anyone know or am I stuck with a bill for repairs required due to the previous owner?

mije1983

Where exactly are the wires broken? BT (Openreach) are responsible for everything upto the master socket. Anything after that going into your property, so your internal wiring, is down to you.

Of course, even if it is wires leading to the master socket, you may still be charged if it is damage caused by the previous owner.

More info here:

http://bt.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/12439/c/

Invalid_Username

The damage appears to be before the socket where I plug my phone in. I can trace the wires from this socket through the wall to the hall by the front door. Then the wire ends as if it's been snapped. It doesn't go outside the house.

onomatopoeia99

Going the other way, can you trace the wires coming in to the house through to a socket and plug the phone in there? The way you describe it sounds like you're plugging in the phone to a disconnected extension.

That might be your description though, or my interpretation of it.

If the damage is between the master socket and the exchange, BT should cover it as it's their equipment, unless the damage was malicious. If it's on your side of the master socket (so internal extension wiring) it's your responsibility.

Invalid_Username

Having looked on google I appear to have an older socket. Pre-master socket. And the wires from the outside end just after my front door. I can see where they enter but they don't continue to the main socket which is pre-master socket design and very old looking.

TadleyBaggie

Sounds like it was disconnected, possibly for some time. Do you know if the previous owner actually had a landline?

Invalid_Username

I don't know. They weren't the nicest of people and lived in dirty circumstances despite being a surgeon. It's taken over a week to clean the house so far and it's still dirty!

Anyway, will see what they say. They've sent an engineer to the green box today because they reckon the fault is there. They may visit me today or tomorrow.

macman

Have tea and biscuits (preferably chocolate ones) handy. They can sometimes assist the OR engineer in deciding if the repair is chargeable or not...
PS: any chance you can tell us which hospital your surgeon works at-so I can avoid it?

Invalid_Username

The surgeon just moved to Sheffield. So I'm guessing somewhere in South Yorkshire. If I showed you pics you'd probably go private for the rest of your life. I won't be using NHS in Sheffield for a while