Disconnecting landline when moving out

[Ben T]

Moving house soon and told the phone company to disconnect the landline.
The say they need 30 days notice, which is fine from a billing point of view as in we're willing to pay to the end of the contract, but we want it definitely cut off after we move out so the new owners don't run up a bill on the line leaving us liable.... My suspicion is the phone company (Fleur telecom) don't know what they're talking about and there must be a mechanism to get it cut off to prevent the new occupiers running up a bill. Anybody know?

[hellymedic]

I don't definitely know. It's 18 years since I completed on this address. I'm with BT and asked them to shift my account from old address to new address and enable me to use existing number at new address.
Could you ask your purchasers to do the same?
They might just want a working landline.

[Polar Bear]

The FiL told the phone company two days before moving.   The line was cut on the day of move.   He was contracted through EE but it's all BT lines and the flick of a software switch.

[Ian H]

My phone number has moved with me since 1997.

[Kim]

but it's all BT lines

Except when it's LLU.

Agree that a cease should happen on the day you arrange it for, at least from a wholesale perspective.

[Polar Bear]

but it's all BT lines

Except when it's LLU.

Agree that a cease should happen on the day you arrange it for, at least from a wholesale perspective.

Ah yes, it'd forgotten LLU. 

It;s not difficult though - just people being arsey and uncooperative.

[hellymedic]

Of course the day you move is the one on which you really need phones to work (though thankfully, mobiles are universal now).

BT took 48 hours to clear my creditworthiness at the previous address, during which time my grandmother died, it was a Bank Holiday and I had a new job...

[Kim]

It;s not difficult though - just people being arsey and uncooperative.

That may be the understatement of the century where telecoms companies are concerned.

[hellymedic]

It;s not difficult though - just people being arsey and uncooperative.

That may be the understatement of the century where telecoms companies are concerned.

Too true!

[Kim]

Probably worth mentioning that there's a wholesale charge for ceasing a line (rather than migrating it to another provider, which is free).  This will explain why retailers who compete on price may be awkward about doing it, and will wrap it up in contract periods to recoup the cost.

[Ben T]

We can't migrate the number cos we're moving to a different area code.

[hellymedic]

I don't know if you can still retain any existing contract with a telco, even if you have to change number...

[Polar Bear]

Yes you can.  FiL  did on his recent move from Flintshire in Wales to Rugby in England.  In fact, he retained all his utility providers except Welsh Water of course.

[hellymedic]

I thought so! In which case, I'd suggest OP requests his contract migrates from A to B and the telco will automagically disconnect landline at A on moving day. Resultant expense should be minimal.
Should...

[Ben T]

We don't want to stay with the same company though, cos they're one of these shit ones that only specialise in reaching the sticks, but aren't competitive on broadband in areas with good cable such we're moving to.

[Kim]

I thought so! In which case, I'd suggest OP requests his contract migrates from A to B and the telco will automagically disconnect landline at A on moving day. Resultant expense should be minimal.
Should...

Moving house is a cease and a provide, not a migrate.  There will be costs, though the retail provider may absorb these as part of a minimum term contract.

Migrate means the same line passes from one provider to another.  If you're lucky you could arrange for a migrate to an acount in the name of the new resident.  Needs many stars in alignment, obviously.