I am moving to a new flat in a couple of weeks, I have plugged a phone into all the wall sockets and there is no dial tone on any of them. I called BT who advised me there is no line connected to that flat and that an Engineer will have to sort it at a cost of about £120.

Is there any way round paying this charge? Are there any other providers I could go to?

Forgive me if im wrong but Bt used to and I think still do have a "come back to Bt for free" I remember that when I moved in there was a bt socket and line, but because there was no service on it for a few years the previous people were with bt then went to NTL, we had to find there old listing in a phone book from the library to show they were once with Bt, they then said yes of course we can reconnect you FOC, didnt get there same number but I think it was so that they could trace the existance of a bt service at our property. But if you advise them that the line is a bt one they should be able to locate it and reconnect it.

Just checked it out on the bt website and they do still do the reconnect for free.

Is this a brand new flat? If so, and it seems like it by the price quoted, you will have to pay the connection fee.

BT often liaise with builders of new homes and install their lines because chances are that you (or a subsequent owner) will want it. BT do this for no charge at the time, but charge the first person who wants to use the line the initial installation fee. BT do this since it is cheaper overall when they can install a number of lines in one visit and are able to do so whilst the house is still being built.

If this is not a brand new flat, and you know the previous resident had a BT line, then there is normally no charge for reconnection as stated above - however there will be a minimum contract period you need to agree to.

http://forum.digitalspy.co.uk/board/...d.php?t=429411

Only two previous tennants god damn it

...but did they pay BT for the cost of installation? If they did, try and find out the telephone number they had.
Perhaps they didn't bother and just used a mobile phone.

The rent agency said they only had mobile contact numbers - can ask the agency to ask the previous tennants if they had a landline?

Can't anyone help then

iamtiredmate, I'm in a similar situation. I currently have telewest and will be moving in just over two weeks and it looks like we'll have to get BT. I called them yesterday and in my case, they said there was a previous line there, so I said does that mean I can reconnect for free and they said yes. But she also said that an engineer would have to come out as it was last connected in 1997, but not talk of a connection charge. As for yourself, I think if there has been no previous line (BT should know if there was previously service there), then you'll have to pay. I did read that you can get a third party through Open Reach (BT wholesale) to do it for £115 +VAT, but thats hardly worth the effort for such a small difference. As for alternative, I think Bulldog can install lines, but I couldnt find a price for this on their website, only other alternative would be NTL Telewest if your in a cable area.

You are correct I'll just have to bite the bullet and pay. It is a new building and although NTL provide services to other homes in the street, there is no cable to the new building.

£115 + VAT = £135.13 - which is £10.14 MORE than BT charge!

bulldog was doing conections for £60 but i don't think they do that anymore.

Bulldog at one time were doing connections for £1

That is if you live in a bulldog area.

If you cannot afford the connection fee, then you won't get a landline. IIRC, BT let you pay the fee in installments per quarter?

Or why not go for Ntl, I think they will still install for free for new customers, I remember that they had to go from the local box to install me when I had it, but we had the manholes outside our house so they used the underground pipes that nynex put in years ago.

Good luck but unless they have a special costs for oap's for example, get your nan to move in with ya for a week or so ect ect lol, only an idea dont know if there is an alternative.

Have you asked them if you do have to pay it if you could break the cost over the year or something, not as bad as paying a lump sum.

Yes and NTL covers the whole country does it?

But didnt the OP say that there was Ntl to other homes in the street but just not to the flat??

NTL won't do it, according to the sales people.

Ended up paying £27 odd connection fee with the rest split over the next 4 quarters - about £60.47 per quarter including line rental.