BT connection

Big Chris · 4 Aug 2011 at 15:02

Moving into a new place 1st Sept, there's a couple of BT phone sockets in the property but the landlord has only just taken it on and doesn't know the number, the previous tenant apparently didn't use a landline either.

BT have no record of a line at the house and want £130 to connect it. Is this correct or are they having me on? Do I have any other options?

I'm going to transfer my contract with Sky for line rental & broadband but I'm assuming BT are the only ones who can make it live again?

varkanoid · 4 Aug 2011 at 17:19

its a risk you have to take but check the line with a phone plugged in and if it has dial tone then nowt to worry about as that proves existing wiring is there. Plus you could then try and make an outbound dial to your mobile to get the number.

If there is no dial tone then you still might be okay as the wiring to the exchange may still exist. They only usually charge £130 if there is no wiring to the house.

Same thing happened to me years ago when I rented a flat, it had a phone socket but no dial tone, BT said it would cost £130 due to having no record of a line but they also told me not to worry as if there was wiring then the £130 is waived. It was £120 actually back then. It was too. Only when engineer went to the exchange he found the line and number for the flat so no fee to pay. Think if I remember it was Plusnet and they charged me £25 connection fee.

Majority if not all ISP's use BT to connect up your line as BT own all the wiring from the exchange to your door. Its just Sky's kit in the exchange.

Big Chris · 4 Aug 2011 at 17:25

Ok so I might be in luck if there's a tone, and even then if there isn't as I can clearly see the sockets and wiring etc - it just needs activating?

I'm assuming the £130 is only if they have to get hammers and saws out and actually fit a socket & wiring?

Immsy · 4 Aug 2011 at 18:24

If the line has a dial tone no charge will be raised. If it doesnt, needs connecting at the exchange and the charge will apply whether the sockets are in the housr / flat or not.

varkanoid · 4 Aug 2011 at 21:06

just test it yourself first for dial tone. I think it must depend on the engineer if he completes his job sheet correctly or not. pot luck.

Big Chris · 5 Aug 2011 at 13:47

Need to get in there and plug a phone in really. So I'll still be charged to reconnect it if there's no dial-tone but the wiring is intact?

Immsy · 5 Aug 2011 at 14:03

Big Chris said:
Need to get in there and plug a phone in really. So I'll still be charged to reconnect it if there's no dial-tone but the wiring is intact?

Yep, if the line is ceased (no dial tone) a charge will apply whether the sockets look ok in the house or not.

Big Chris · 5 Aug 2011 at 14:38

Arses. Is it the full £130 for them to effectively plug it back in at the exchange?

shine · 5 Aug 2011 at 15:12

If your thinking of going with Sky - they will normally waive the charge and arrange for BT to connect the line for you.

Big Chris · 5 Aug 2011 at 16:10

shine said:
If your thinking of going with Sky - they will normally waive the charge and arrange for BT to connect the line for you.

Really? How do I make the order if I don't know the phone number though?

shine · 5 Aug 2011 at 20:17

It will let you check by address online instead. They'll do a BT line test and let you know if they will do it or not and how much it will cost, it should be free. Also, BT will do it for free if you take out an Internet package but it does depend on package, check their website.

Big Chris · 5 Aug 2011 at 22:39

Cheers, I'll check the Sky website and see what's what.

I've had nothing but trouble with BT in the past so I'll only go to them for the line rental/broadband as a last resort!