Advice needed about not renewing Orange mobile phone contract

[tigwig]

I posted about a week ago regarding my OH's contract with the above company. It runs out on the 21st Feb and he emailed them on the 17th to confirm he didnt want to renew and had a new phone etc. He also said he was going to cancel the direct debit after the last payment was taken which I have done now. So today my 7yr old who now has the old phone to play with (not use in any other way lol) noticed there was a voice mail which was left today. It said they had received the email but he couldnt cancel like that it had to be a written letter and it had to be 30 days notice. So he has done that now and I will post it first class tomorrow but by the time they get it it will be a few days less than the required notice. So what will happen now? Can they demand he pays for a contract that expires when he has originally given more than 30 days notice. There is nothing on the contract that even says he has to tell them he doesnt want it to continue let alone say it has to be done by writing a bloody letter!

[Zacs-Master]

From Oranges T&cs

4.1 You may terminate your Contract to expire at anytime after the Minimum Term by giving us at least one month's notice. You are free to restore your Contract throughout this notice period, should you change your mind.

Doesn't say anything about 'in writing'

[flip_flop]

They've been emailed - so they have had it in writing.

[tonywiltshire]

It seems your other half has acted dutifully and correctly in giving notice to orange, perhaps not in the way they require, there is a lot of idle” bluster and threats” in some companies over this type of thing. If he has complied with the terms of the contract tell them so and inform them the matter is now closed, do not be intimidated or bullied by them.

[tigwig]

Well thats what I thought an email is in writing really isnt it? We will have to waitand see what happens when they get the letter. I had no idea though you even had to give notice if you werent renewing. A 2yr contract should be just that, not go on forever unless you give a months written notice.

[EDDIE51]

Hi tigwig, off topic but how is the non drinking going ? do you feel better ?

[tigwig]

Hi Eddie, yes it's going ok thank you. I havent stopped completely lol (that was never the intention I just wanted to stop doing it everyday!)
So it's now just the 3 days a week instead of 6 or 7. The 1st week was easy as it was new. 2nd and 3rd were a bit harder and I nearly caved in last Thurs but didnt. I feel so much clearer headed on a morning though now and with healthy eating and exercise too am losing weight so I will definitely keep it up.
Thanks for asking.