Got kicked out of our flat, still in contract with ISP

[Scam]

So, our landlords a little while ago served us our two months notice. They want to refurbish the two flats -- it will take 4-6 months and it's quite serious work so we won't be able to live there whilst it's happening. We might move back in afterwards but that's another story.

I've just called up our ISP and unfortunately I upgraded to Fibre last November and signed up to an 18 month contract. I went to give them my 14 days notice and they want me to pay off my contract for £143 So wonderful that I can get kicked out of my home, and have to pay for the privilege #loverenting

I went through all the options with the chap on the phone but there's not much way round it. We're moving to a member of the family's flat which is all set up with Fibre, and doesn't get served by BT infrastructure so we can't transfer our Plusnet account. They could give us 3Mb ADSL (no thanks!) but I'm sure he said because it is a different product we'd have to sign another 18 months contract which obviously is pointless.

Any ideas? Any loopholes? Tempted to give the bill to our landlords but would like to avoid that if possible (if we do move back we need to do a good deal with them!).

 

[Lokai]

Not sure if you can do this, but it is possible to freeze the contract and resume it in 6 months when you move ?

 

[George Hincapie]

Speak to the LL and explain the position. You are facing those costs because of their action, so the correct thing would be for the LL to reimburse or deduct from outstanding rent.

Don't be shocked if the rent shoots up after the improvements as well.

 

[StriderX]

Speak to the LL and explain the position. You are facing those costs because of their action, so the correct thing would be for the LL to reimburse or deduct from outstanding rent.

Don't be shocked if the rent shoots up after the improvements as well.

Just find some Easto's and live a 100 to a room, it'll be fiiiiiiine .

 

[Scam]

Not sure if you can do this, but it is possible to freeze the contract and resume it in 6 months when you move ?

I asked about suspending it and they said they used to be able to do that but Ofcom put a stop to it. Why, I have no idea..

Speak to the LL and explain the position. You are facing those costs because of their action, so the correct thing would be for the LL to reimburse or deduct from outstanding rent.

Don't be shocked if the rent shoots up after the improvements as well.

Like I say, I'd rather keep them on side so this is my last option.

We already know the rent will shoot up, they told us it will be for 'market rate' which is already about £500/month more than we were paying. Partly because they didn't put our rent up for 5yrs, partly because rent in London has been rocketing for those 5yrs. I'd like to keep them on side because we'd be ready to move in asap, can save them agency/reference fees etc. and they have already said we're great tenants and really look after the place. So there is a deal to be done if we do want to move back in.

I think given that our current ISP can't provide fibre to the new address, surely it's their fault I can't continue my contract?

 

[Haggisman]

Don't cancel it, carry on paying for the service, and resume when you hopefully move back in?

Yes you're still paying for a service you're not using, but at least you don't have to pay the full amount in one go, and also the service will still be in place if you move back in (so you won't have to sign up for another 18 months!)

 

[Greebo]

Don't cancel it, carry on paying for the service, and resume when you hopefully move back in?

Yes you're still paying for a service you're not using, but at least you don't have to pay the full amount in one go, and also the service will still be in place if you move back in (so you won't have to sign up for another 18 months!)

This.

 

[marmalade]

The landlord has no legal or indeed moral obligations other than to fulfill their contract to the tenant for the set time of the lease or extended run IE 1/2months notice. People renting on short-hold leases must always consider such contracts that run beyond the length of their lease

 

[Trifid]

Can't you move it to your new home?

 

[ci_newman]

I think given that our current ISP can't provide fibre to the new address, surely it's their fault I can't continue my contract?

No, you started the contract at that address. It's not the ISPs fault you moved

 

[~Divine~Wind~]

At the same time tho mate its not his fault he moved.

Go down the formal complaint route, email a CEO or summit.

 

[Evilpaul]

Plusnet account

I'm on PlusNet and on the 8th I received an email about their plans to increase the line rental cost in September. The last section of the email could be useful for your case:

What happens next?
We hope you're happy with Plusnet's award-winning products and services, but if you do decide to leave because of these changes, we won't apply any early termination charges. All we ask is that you tell us within 30 days of getting this email and give us 14 days' notice.^ The changes will come into effect from 2nd September 2015, and you don't need to do a thing. You'll see the new charges on your first bill after that date.

If you received the same email then this will be your best bet.

 

[omnomnom]

At the same time tho mate its not his fault he moved.

Go down the formal complaint route, email a CEO or summit.

That's not the ISP's problem. To them its his fault.

 

[Scam]

Thanks evilpaul that looks helpful. The guy I spoke to seemed to be asking me if I was happy with the service, maybe he was alluding to that?

The landlord has no legal or indeed moral obligations other than to fulfill their contract to the tenant for the set time of the lease or extended run IE 1/2months notice. People renting on short-hold leases must always consider such contracts that run beyond the length of their lease

'Consider' in what way exactly? Most contracts for services like internet/phone etc are minimum 18 months. When your life is on two months notice because of the **** state of private renting in this country what exactly is there to 'consider'

Can't you move it to your new home?

No BT infrastructure at my new place. I might follow through this angle with Plusnet, but I'm guessing there was no guarantee of being able to move a fibre service to literally anywhere.

 

[Drizmod]

I always get these 'Are you moving house? Take your services with you' letters from Virgin media so I would be surprised if you dont have this option available with your provider

 

[Quartz]

Can the landlords take over the contract? They might appreciate having on-site internet access during the works.

 

[alx]

'Consider' in what way exactly? Most contracts for services like internet/phone etc are minimum 18 months. When your life is on two months notice because of the **** state of private renting in this country what exactly is there to 'consider'
.

Well, to consinder whether you're happy with the possiblity of ending up in the exact situation you're in.

 

[Fiocca]

In the same situation. Buying our first house and it doesn't have virgin so i can't take it. Rang up to cancel and they want £240! Couldn't believe it and even though i've been a customer for years the contract renewed for 12 months cos i asked in january about bringing my bill down which they did.

They won't budge and give me any discount even though i've not missed a payment or anything in years! Really stressful when my mrs is pregnant and buying our first house, it's a stupid amount of money :/

 

[Scam]

Well, to consinder whether you're happy with the possiblity of ending up in the exact situation you're in.

And once I've considered it, what exactly can I do about it?

Good luck Fiocca that's a lot of money. Virgin must have something somewhere to protect against them not being able to provide the service?

 

[Greebo]

to be fair isnt the minimum 18 months based on the company getting back their original setup costs?

So doesnt matter if you have to cancel before 18 months is up as even if there was a 6 month minimum contract it would be for far more per month and would porbably add up tot he same as 18 months anyway.

Id just leave it live and keep paying it monthly till you move back in. Then you will have more choice of getting a better deal when the original 18 months is up.