Bill Battle

Hi,

I bought a house 4 months ago. The owners told me they had Smart Telecom phone line.

Timeline:
Sept: Previous owners notify Smart of move. (Smart only block outgoing calls.)
Smart send disconnection form to owners new address, for them to sign and return. They never do.
Oct: I take possession, over the next month receive Smart bills. (possibly for line rental I never opened them) Call smart to tell them to redirect to previous owners.

Jan 06: Want eircom line. Eircom cannot connect me, Smart still own the line so to speak. Call Smart - the disconnection notice was never returned by previous owners and line rental for 4 months due so they will not release the line.

They have sent another disconnection form. They have told me to get my solicitor involved if the previous owners refuse to pay and return the form.
But what incentive have they previous owners to pay anything.

Can anyone help me determine who is liable for what?

Whose name are the bills coming in?

they were coming in the previous owners name, but i got Smart to redirect all bills to the previous owners new address in Nov. I never set up a Smart Telecom account.

Then you have no liability to pay.

Its up to Smart to chase the non-payers, not you or your solicitor! They are simply trying to get you to help them obtain payment! I'm assuming though that this is stopping you from getting a phone line?

Have you asked Eircom to come out and install a totally new line as the old one is in dispute? This might work although there may be additional installation costs for you.

Lauren said:

Its up to Smart to chase the non-payers, not you or your solicitor!

Click to expand...

Agree. Would consider having your solicitor (or indeed yourself) write to Smart with proof that you are now the owner of the property, and indicating that you will take action against them if they
a) continue to issue bills/forms/reminders to the old owner at your address
b) do not release themselves immediately from the hold they have on the line in your property

In summary, go further than telling them you will not act as their debt collection agent. You will turn the heat on them.

thanks

Is it a Smart line in an unbundled exchange? I know you are probably wary of Smart now after your experience but they do broadband for E35 a month including free line rental, which means for E10 more than what Eircom charge for line rental only you get line rental and broadband. Also maybe Smart might change their attitude if they see you as a potential customer (one can only hope).