My father is 94 and moved into a care home in October so I cancelled the account that I run on his behalf. The account has consistently featured a landline, broadband and BT sport (now TNT sport) for many years and bills have been paid on time by direct debit. My father has worsening essential tremor in his hands so cannot really use the phone very well - therefore about a year ago I varied the phone package from unlimited minutes to 700 minutes to save a little money - this package is still well over the top for what he needs. BT have used this adjustment to reset the contract term and now want to levy a £400 cancellation charge for early termination. My father is insisting that he will pay this but it will need to come out of his funeral fund as it is the only money he has.
There are complicating factors here. The account was opened by my sister in law on my father's behalf when he moved in 7 or so years ago - she and my brother own the flat. I actually pay the bills and administrate the account - so his name is not on any of the BT paperwork. I can prove that he was the sole occupant of the flat and that he has moved from that address to a care home in October as I have plenty of paperwork from Kent County Council showing this. The BT representative that I spoke to said that nothing could be done because BT have a legal contract in my sister in laws name and will not consider anything else.
I'm hoping a moderator can step in and be reasonable - I can easily provide evidence for the above.
