Minimum contract for broadband in rental property

Christabel

I have a small flat that I rent out to professionals. I have a guy now who will only want to rent it for 3 or 4 months but needs broadband for his work. He's asked me to investigate getting it but the minimum period from any company seems to be 12 months. He won't take it without this access. What do others do please or any suggestions?

tyllwyd

Have you looked at PlusNet? I think they do no contract options.

Christabel

Yes, you are quite right, many thanks

Lifeforms

IIRC plus net broadband is/was a monthly contract. BUT their phone line was/is 12 months minimum, this was when I signed up a long time ago, so to have broadband you need an operating phone line.

From Plus.net:

Your Question: how long is the phone contract for
When you sign up for Plusnet Broadband, you can choose to take a 12 month contract at the advertised price or 'no contract' with a £2.50 increase in subscription fee

But can't find any information about phone. Obviously if you have a line installed, no problem with the phone.

Christabel

In the meantime I asked a previous tenant how he managed and he said he paid the lady in the flat opposite £10 a month to use her wifi so I think that is what will happen this time too.

The_pc_tech

Could also try Zen Internet as they are a business grade ISP and have monthly terms.

edwardw

Couldnt you just get it yourself? Then add the fee onto the rent?

Christabel

If I got it myself could the new tenant say go over my allowance so incurring me in extra costs? I can cope with electric and water bills but have no idea about broadband deals etc.

The_pc_tech

Could also try Xilo as they have unlimited packages and unlike plusnet there's no traffic shaping.

I use their Elite package which I had to pay about 48 quid to get connected to (it's O2 Wholesale) but it now costs me a flat fee of 15 quid a month.

tyllwyd

If you go over the allowance on PlusNet within the billing month they do charge you - I think it was £5 for 20Gb when we last went over. Since then we've changed the settings on our account so it shouldn't (fingers crossed) let us go over. But whichever ISP you go for, make sure you ask that question, and make sure any emails are directed to your own email account in case they need to contact you about usage etc.

BUT it has just occurred to me that there might be other issues - if the account is in your name, but the tenant uses it to download dodgy stuff, is there a danger than you might be held responsible? It might only be a small risk, but he is a stranger to you.

Perhaps the tenant could get his own mobile wifi ? Something along these lines? http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/shop/mobile-broadband/wireless-pointer/

JenniWR

Most ISPs, BT, Plusnet and Sky included will sell an Unlimited product.

The problem with a monthly contract is that if you cancel when he's moves out, you'll be liable for a cessation fee in the range of £25-30 with most ISP's. In addition to the £2.50/month extra quoted by LifeForms above, this adds £7.50/month onto a 5 month contract