BT line rental

[johnny37]

I tried to cancel my BT landline connection and was told that as I am two weeks into a yearly rolling contract I will have to pay for the line rental for the whole year. They have billed me accordingly. I was unaware that I had agreed to this and asked them to produce proof (eg tape of the conversation). I suspect that the telephone conversation may have been worded so cleverly I did not realise what I was agreeing to. They have put the bill on hold until the prob is resolved.

Anyone had experience of this?

[craft1948]

I would assume that your original agreement stated you were in 12 month rolling contracts. I'm certainly aware that I'm 10 months into my 18 month rolling broadband contract.

[buildersmate]

Yes, in that I was also on one of these contracts. To me it was pretty clear that it was the case, and I record in my diary the 'renewal date' so I can take a view on whether I want another 12 months-worth.
Whilst it may have been fixed up by phone conversation, I think you will find that BT will have written to you setting out the terms of what you agreed. Wait and see whether they can churn up a copy of the old letter.
If so, I think they will only let you out of it if you are moved from the dwelling serviced by the line.

[ChuckFickens]

From BT's T&Cs

"At the end of each 12 month minimum period the contract will be automatically renewed for a further 12 month minimum period unless you tell us otherwise before the renewal date. We will write to you the month before the renewal date to remind you of this. You cannot downgrade during the minimum period or any renewable minimum period. If you decide to end the contract within the 12 month minimum period, you will incur a single charge of £8.00 for each month left of the minimum period."

[kawakiri]

I still hate BT

[Greedyfly]

Yes and after moving house over 4 months ago I am still waiting for the correct final bill to be issued - they are one of the worst companies I have had to deal with over the phone. Total Nightmare. They apparently installed a new phone line and broadband into my new property without my say so and have been trying to charge me for a service I am not even using!

[johnny37]

I'll wait and see what they have to say. Seems like sharp practice to me. If you dont agree to a rolling contract you can cancel whenever you like after one year.

[buildersmate]

This is true, but there are (or were) some benefits in agreeing to it.
You don't get nowt for nowt.

[bushbaby_de]

I was in this situation but had never received a reminder letter, as stated in the terms and conditions. They claim to have sent me two but could not prove it and I knew it was not the case as I had been away the entire month and had all the post in one big pile in front of me. As they could not prove they had sent the letters, I put it to them via their complaints department that they had not upheld their end of the contract therefore they could not bind me into another year. They then put me on a one month rolling contract, which I terminated immediately - persevere!!!

[chattykathy]

My brother lost his broadband connection and after alerting BT they 'fixed' it but this triggered off a new 12 month contract - bunch of sharks!!! I haven't been with BT for years and NEVER WILL. They're appalling!