Changing phone number when moving

Albala

We are buying a house. For various reasons, we don't want to use our predecessor's landline number. I have tried to find out from BT (our providr and the vendor's provider) how to do this, and they are totally useless, they have no idea. Their website doesn't even seem to say how to change a number without a move, or how much it costs (we could wait and do this once we're in). They only say how to change to a new line if you move directly from one house to another (which we aren't doing anyway) and this would mean taking over the seller's number, which we can't do. The best information they offer is hopelessly out of date and contradictory customer forum comments. Their online chat people haven't a clue.

Has anyone changed the BT landline number of the house they moved to lately as part of taking the line over, or has anyone simply changed their BT number? Could I ask, how much did it cost, and how did they manage to get the *individuals* at BT to actually do it?

theartfullodger

So try another provider of landlines (down the same pair of copper wires..)..


There's more than enough available... e.g.
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/home-phone-calls/



Surprised you are still bothered about landlines: Almost everybody contacts us by our mobile numbers now... and that works when out, on holiday....

Caz3121

theartfullodger wrote: »

Surprised you are still bothered about landlines: Almost everybody contacts us by our mobile numbers now... and that works when out, on holiday....

not used one for a few years....but it did make me think of this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHNEzndgiFI

EmmyLou30

We moved house and wanted to stay with Talk Talk and were told we couldn't keep our old number like we wanted as 'only BT can do that' apparently. So I'd just ditch BT - they're over priced vs all their competition and this is MSE after all. Then you'll get a new number at the new house.

Niv

I do not even know my landline number or have a phone plugged in.

sheramber

We need a landline as we do not have dependable mobile reception.

When we moved the seller advised BT they were moving and gave the date they wanted the service to finish, 30 days notice is preferred.

BT disconnected the line on the last day.

When we moved in we applied to reconnect the line .

Unfortunately, we had to wait a few weeks as there was not a free number available on the exchange.

As there was an existing line there was no cost to reconnect.

http://bt.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/36061/related/1

How much does it cost to install a new BT phone line or reconnect an old one?
You probably won't need to pay any connection charges if:

Your home has recently had a telephone service from BT,
the wiring and socket is undamaged; and
the line still has a dial tone
You'll just have to pay for your chosen calling plan, the cost of any extra calls not included in the plan, and for any extra services you want.

Where there's no suitable BT line available, no dial tone on the line, or if you've ever been disconnected for non-payment, then you might need to pay a connection charge. If you only have a calling plan with BT, the standard connection charge is normally £140.

Some properties (for example, new property developments) may have a white BT socket installed which has not yet been connected. In this case you'll need to pay the standard connection charge.

The fee covers engineering work in your property or the exchange.

If you order online, then we'll let you know whether you need to pay a connection charge during your order.

Order a BT line >

Any connection charges will be added to your first BT bill.

If you're a BT Basic customer we can discuss the option of spreading the connection charge over 12 months.
All reconnections are subject to a credit check, as a result of which we might ask you to pay a deposit. A minimum term will apply.

Albala

Thank you very much, sheramber, that's helpful, though I would still appreciate any information on how to get a new number at the new address and not the vendor's old one, which remains a big problem. It's daft how they want 30 days' notice when we all know few house moves have that time between exchange and completion. One part of BT's site says they would really like six weeks, which is getting a bit silly.



As for some of the other replies, had I wanted to change suppliers I wouldn't have needed to have asked the question about how to get a new BT number in the first place. And as I said, I am not moving directly from where I am which is why I wouldn't want to port my number even if it was possible, which as I'm moving codes, it isn't.
(and there are perfectly good reasons for wanting landlines)

NicNicP

We moved and went from using BT to Sky and got a new number.

JGB1955

If you're already a BT customer you can take your phone number with you (if it's the same area code). .but I guess this isn't what you want.

markin

When you do get a number, it will likely by a recycled number, we got all the previews owners calls and some mistaken mini cab calls!


I think you can just ask for a new number and if any are available it may be free, i don't think you would automatically get the old owners number, unless its the last 1 available. But with staff turn over many may not know how to do it, not many care anymore about the number or have a phone plugged in/ Ringer off.

davidmcn

JGB1955 wrote: »

If you're already a BT customer you can take your phone number with you (if it's the same area code). .but I guess this isn't what you want.

Though if the previous residents take their number with them, it would solve the OP's problem anyway.