BT Cancellation Charge

[DE1975]

I will be moving out of my current address this month, which means cancelling my BT broadband and phone contract (I don't need to move it to my new address). I have been with BT at this address for 5 years, re-contracting with them periodically to keep a discounted rate. I last re-contracted 12 months ago on 24 month deal. Obviously I'm still in contract for a further 12 months and the terms state I have to essentially pay a cancellation charge of the remaining term less any cost savings BT have.

I'm expecting I'll just have to settle up, however, earlier this year BT moved my phone over from the old analogue phone service onto their digital voice service, without any choice to stick to the service I had. I could've ditched BT then with no cancellation charge as they were changing my service. So now that I have to leave some months later, can I still get out of the cancellation charge? Anyone done this?

[JimM169]

Don't think you get a cancellation charge when leaving a property. Pretty much because If you just left and cancelled your DD how would they find you to pursue it anyway - or at least wouldn't be worth their while if they could.

[judas]

That would be unwise. If they do pursue it, and he ends up with a CCJ against his old address, then this will come up on any credit application he makes for the next few years when you have to give your previous address if you've haven't been long at the new address. Buggering your credit score for the sake a a couple of hundred quid would be a very dumb move.

[gotoPzero]

I think the only way to avoid any charges is to port over your package to your new property. If you don't then you will get charged the remaining.

[Seventyseven7]

Tell them you are moving abroad, as they can’t provide the service elsewhere they will cancel the termination charge. They did with me at least.

[V8 Stang]

gotoPzero said:

I think the only way to avoid any charges is to port over your package to your new property. If you don't then you will get charged the remaining.

Slightly interested in this, as I'm half way into a 24 month contract.

Im buying a new build which does not come with BT, only Fibre Nest.

The developer tells me, if BT are unable to serve the new property (no BT on the site) , then they have to let you out of the contract with no exit fee?

Am yet to contact BT about it

[gotoPzero]

The best bet is to ring BT and speak to the movers team. I did this the other day myself.
The web portal is garbage, it told me there was no BT line at my new address when I knew there was. One phone call and sorted.
I managed to haggle an upgrade from 150 to 500 as they said they were going to renew my contract for 2 years.
No costs, just take your hub with you and plug it in (that bit TBD!). YMMV!

[The Three D Mucketeer]

V8 Stang said:

Slightly interested in this, as I'm half way into a 24 month contract.

Im buying a new build which does not come with BT, only Fibre Nest.

The developer tells me, if BT are unable to serve the new property (no BT on the site) , then they have to let you out of the contract with no exit fee?

Am yet to contact BT about it

Interesting ... Persimmon Homes own Fibre nest ...OPENREACH have to make their Fibres/Copper available to all service providers (BT , SKY , TALK TALK etc,) . FibreNest just says "it's in discussions with other providers" , seems a bit of a lock-in to me . .At times it appears one rule for OPENREACH and other rules for it's competitors .

[chopper602]

When we moved, were with Virgin Media. They couldn't provide the service to the new address and there were no further charges, which is a shame as our current broadband is a bit rubbish

[mdw]

chopper602 said:

When we moved, were with Virgin Media. They couldn't provide the service to the new address and there were no further charges, which is a shame as our current broadband is a bit rubbish

I did the same just had to provide proof of new address. I was however delighted to never have to deal with virgin EVER again and didn't notice any deteriation in performance in fact Plusnet had less drop outs.