Rented flat - who is responsible..

nicegirl

.. for the TV aerial/TV point?

We live in a rented flat and have been there just over a month. On Sunday morning it became apparent that there is a problem with the TV point in the living room. We're no longer able to receive TV through it (there is an error message on the screen saying no channels have been detected, check antenna and try again). Thread here with more info: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5046326

I was planning to call our letting agency this morning to report it, however I've noticed that in the tenancy agreement it just states that the landlord is responsible for structure and exterior, installations for gas, electricity and sanitation, and space heating and heating water.

Is this a grey area? I appreciate that it's not especially urgent, but it doesn't seem fair that it should be our responsibility to get it repaired. The TV point is noted in the inventory, but there is no comment made about working condition.

thesaint

It is no ones responsibility to repair.

Foxy-Stoat_3

Do people still use an aerial now, thought all aerials are redundant !!!

fishpond

Not exactly rocket science for you to repair is it?

G_M

Is there any mention in the inventory? Or tenancy agreement?

Is the tv point part of a package eg Sky that you pay for?

So it may be your responsibility, or Sky's, or the landlord's. But even if yours, it does no harm to report the fault in a friendly manner. Personally as a LL I would fix a) to keep tenant happy and b) to avoid tenant knocking tiles off my roof (or worse) trying to fix the aerial.

pheonix254

It depends - as it's a flat, it might have a communal television aerial/satellite feed, which may or may not be owned by the landlord. This may be amplified or not, and it may have tripped.

If it isn't owned by the landlord, it's likely that they pay someone to maintain it and other communal areas like stairs, gates and external lighting, drainage etc. - and that is the person who is responsible for getting it sorted. I'd still report it through the normal channels (i.e. direct to landlord or letting agency) and see what they say. If they're not responsible they should know who is. I wouldn't think it would be you.

In the meantime, you can always buy a cheap indoor aerial with amplifier/booster.

Robin9

Have you checked the lead from tbe TV to the socket ?

My cat sleeps by the TV and dislodges the lead

G_M

Robin9 wrote: »

Have you checked the lead from tbe TV to the socket ?

My cat sleeps by the TV and dislodges the lead

Don't blame him. If I was trying to sleep and some b*gger had the TV on, I'd dislodge the lead too!

nicegirl

It's not the lead - we've checked.

I don't know whether it's the aerial on the roof or the actual TV point in the flat. It is a communal aerial on the roof for the whole building. I think it must be the TV point as none of the neighbours seem to have any issues. We don't have Sky.

If it's our responsibility then of course we would get it fixed. However I am not a TV aerial engineer so I don't know whether it's easily fixable or what needs to be done. This is the first time I've been in a rented place for a while and the letting agent has been an absolute nightmare, so I just wanted to ask your advice before I speak to them. We don't want to have to pay for an expensive repair if it's not our responsibility, but equally I then don't want money taking from our deposit when we move out if its not working.

Thank you to everyone who responded with a helpful answer.

G_M

Can you contact the landlord direct? What address is on the tenancy agreement?

also google utube for DIY hints eg

http://howtomendit.com/answers.php?id=166528

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=utube+fix+a+tv+aerial+point&docid=608052148287832668&mid=4FF3E73CCBBD5D81009B4FF3E73CCBBD5D81009B&view=detail&FORM=VIRE8#view=detail&mid=4FF3E73CCBBD5D81009B4FF3E73CCBBD5D81009B

http://www.diyfixit.co.uk/electrics/television-aerial-extra-socket-outlet.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z44TBGhf6j8

nicegirl

Thanks G_M, I'll have a look at those later tonight when I'm home.

We do have the landlords address but it's the address of another company, if that makes sense. (E.g. 'Something Homes'.) No contact number.