Creating a new account

[thefamilypritch]

Hi all -

I'm in the process of taking over various accounts and bills from my father in law, who is "getting on a bit" (his words) and doesn't want the hassle of maintaining various accounts for our house. We all live at the same property (have done for five years now) and have an existing BT account - landline (Digital Voice) and broadband (out of contract).

I am an account manager on the current account - he is the account holder. We don't seem to be able to swap this (BT FAQ says it should be closed, and a new account opened), plus there appear to be better deals as a new customer, so thought it would be easier for me to sign up with a new account, and close the existing one - or so I thought...

I go the site, select the package (Fibre 300 with DV (unlimited Uk calls) - £48.99 p/m) and sign in using my BT ID. As I am associated with the current account, I don't have any option to set up a new one.

If I try to sign up as a brand new customer, I can create a new BT ID, but then it asks for the account number - presuming I want a new one, I select the "if you don't know your account number" (I don't, I want a new one) - it then proceeds to tell me I have to have it sent to me in the post, for security reasons. I have to enter the landline number and postcode. Is this going to issue me a new account number, or just send me the existing account number (which I already know, but I don't want - I want a new one!)?

I appreciate I'm probably in a unique situation, but how would this work if I was genuinely a new customer, having moved into the property with no relationship to the person here before??

For us, we need to maintain our fibre service (I work from home, so little to no disruption is key) and the landline number needs to be kept - it's been this for YEARS and is used for doctors, hospital appointments etc.

Any and all help on this appreciated!!

[licquorice]

In a nutshell you can't take over an account. Your father in law would need to cancel his account and then you would need to create a new one.

In your situation I wouldn't even consider it. The payment details don't need to be the account holder's details. Just take over payment and leave account ownership with your father in law.

[thefamilypritch]

That's what I thought.

I guess the issue we have with maintaining the existing account is that we're out of contract and the "upgrade" deals are nowhere near as good as for a new customer - for example, the Fibre 300 we looked at isn't even available as an option.

All that aside, there doesn't seem to be a route to create a new account?

[gg30340]

If your father is out of contract all he needs to do is give 30 days notice of wanting to cease the BT account. There is no termination charges. You could then take out a new account in your name either with BT or any other provider.

There may be a short break in service while this happens but it would allow you to get "new customer" deals.

[imjolly]

The new customer deal for broadband and phone 300 is £37.99 + the cost of unlimited call package which makes your existing cost look about right

Changing ISP will probably give you a better deal