Do I need freeholder's permission to install virgin media in my flat?

user1168934

I have just bought a leasehold flat. The property is within virgin media cable area and some other flats do have it installed although mine does not have the connection yet.
The managing agents have been very slow and uncooperative so far (during the conveyance process) and I would prefer not to ask them if it is not necessary because they will probably see it as an excuse to charge some made up fees and ask for plans and waste a lot of time.

Do I need to seek freeholder's permission to get the cable installed in my flat or can I just go ahead and do it?

egoode

I would just go ahead and do it. It's a fairly minor alteration to the property.

m_13

user1168934 wrote: »

I have just bought a leasehold flat. The property is within virgin media cable area and some other flats do have it installed although mine does not have the connection yet.
The managing agents have been very slow and uncooperative so far (during the conveyance process) and I would prefer not to ask them if it is not necessary because they will probably see it as an excuse to charge some made up fees and ask for plans and waste a lot of time.

Do I need to seek freeholder's permission to get the cable installed in my flat or can I just go ahead and do it?

We had to get permission when we were in a leasehold flat as it involved drilling through a wall that I didn't own. The lease specificially mentioned permission for anything that was attached to the wall.

princeofpounds

Almost certainly you do, as you don't own the walls that are going to be drilled through.

However, they are unlikely to be unable to refuse permission without reasonable grounds. Given many other flats are tied in, it would be unreasonable to block you unless there is something sensitive about the installation you plan (drilling through pipes, putting cables on an 'incorrect' wall, etc.).

So if you went ahead and did it anyway, there is a slim chance they might ask you to move it and repair if there is some reason of that nature.

For me, it's one of those things where if the freeholder was responsive I'd say ask them, but as they are not I'd be tempted just to get on with it.

user1168934

How about if I go ahead with it and if the managment company ever ask about it I just say it was there when I bought it????

fakiee

user1168934 wrote: »

I have just bought a leasehold flat. The property is within virgin media cable area and some other flats do have it installed although mine does not have the connection yet.

Go and have a chat with your neighbours in the flats that already have it installed, see what they had to do to get it installed.

theEnd

I didn't give it a second thought.

I let the other owners (big converted house) know when I was getting my windows done, but not for connecting cable, even with the tiny hole drilled.

propertyman

you actually dont. as they provide telephony they have the same rights as any public utility to deface and damage a building

tiggerbodhi

propertyman wrote: »

you actually dont. as they provide telephony they have the same rights as any public utility to deface and damage a building

Was going to write a comprehensive response, but actually just saying what utter !!!!!!!! sums it up.


They do not have any "rights" to do anything, neither to BT/Openreach or other utilities, they operate under licences granted by local authorities for very specific works, none of them can turn up willy nilly and dig holes, drill holes etc without the owners permission unless it is an immediate danger to the public.


My personal advice is make sure you are around when Virgin turn up to do the install, they are mainly sub contractors on price work per install and some will try anything to save time during the install rather than looking for a "sympathetic" cable run will take the shortest and easiest!

Richard_Webster

Nobody posting here really knows the answer to this one because it will be in your lease as to whether you can lay new connections through common parts/other flats to your flat. Most likely you can't, but the only way to really know is to read the lease.

propertyman

tiggerbodhi wrote: »

Was going to write a comprehensive response, but actually just saying what utter !!!!!!!! sums it up.

Erm then you need to do a little research before you respond with such utter !!!!!!!:rotfl:

I'll give you a hint "5" and involuntary.