Can landlord dictate internet/phone provider?

Popppet

Apologise for the lengthy message.

I rent privately in a block of flats, most of which are let by the same company.

I'd taken advantage of the recent Sky broadband offer on MSE, and given notice to my previous provider, Virgin. Although I only had broadband with Virgin, there's a BT compatible socket in the flat (I don't know whether it would work, though).

Sky have sent me a hub and let me know my new phone number, and the connection was due to go live in a few days. However, when I dropped by at the management office to let them know (imagining an engineer in Sky overalls loitering outside the building), they said that Sky is not allowed, and that Virgin is the preferred provider. The only other one allowed is BT.

However, I can see a Sky wi-fi signal on my laptop, so at least one neighbour has Sky already. When I put this to them, they said if they find out who the other person is with Sky, they will be asked to disconnect.

Does the landlord really have a right to tell me which internet provider to use?

I know there are rules about the right to switch when it comes to gas and electricity but I didn't find anything on broadband. There's no reference to broadband in the tenancy agreement.

I've now had to call Sky to cancel, but I expect to be out of pocket when I approach Virgin again to set up a new contract.

Has anyone else been successful in persuading their landlord to allow free choice of broadband provider?

I wish I hadn't made that courtesy call now!

HouseBuyer77

So the installation of broadband could involve the running of new cables. Specifically any of the fast broadband (technically known as FTTC broadband, often advertised as Fibre broadband) offerings may need this. Here the managment company of the flats (and the landlord) would have a say as it involves alterations to the buildings.

If however you can change provider without altering the current installation (a distinct possibility) I don't know what grounds they'd have to disallow this.

Mrs_Cheese

We have had experience of this. Whole block was wired up to Telewest, that then became NTL and then Virgin. We were forbidden from using anyone else especially Sky as it would involve putting a dish up on the building.

denialanderror

HouseBuyer77 wrote: »

So the installation of broadband could involve the running of new cables. Specifically any of the fast broadband (technically known as FTTC broadband, often advertised as Fibre broadband) offerings may need this. Here the managment company of the flats (and the landlord) would have a say as it involves alterations to the buildings.
If however you can change provider without altering the current installation (a distinct possibility) I don't know what grounds they'd have to disallow this.

FTTC = Fibre to the Cabinet and does not require any alterations to the cables leading to the home.
Full FTTH is still quite rare in this country.


To me this sounds like the landlords are confusing broadband and TV from Sky (as in they may be concerned about the effect of multiple dishes on the appearance of the building)...

HouseBuyer77

FTTC = Fibre to the Cabinet and does not require any alterations to the cables leading to the home.

When I had this installed an engineer did make alterations as you need the socket upgraded to a BT Openreach one that can support the modem. Admittedly this is purely internal but I believe in same cases they will require an upgraded phone cable (an old cable may provide poor speed).

theartfullodger

Popppet wrote: »

.......Does the landlord really have a right to tell me which internet provider to use? ......!

I can tell Dave Cameron to start cutting the main benefit payments, those to pensioners (I am one myself) - but I doubt he will..

Of course a landlord can TELL you who to use...

You can decide to go wherever you wish: Landlord can the sue you for breach of contract: No chance he will win..

Ignore the small-kn*bb*d tw*t and run your life the way you wish....

Cheers!! (PS I am a Landlord...)

HappyMJ

As above....the agency for my property switched the empty properties to a provider for which they get paid a hefty commission on sales. They continue to get a residual payment if the tenant does not switch. They have a clause in the tenancy agreement that states tenant will not switch without prior permission of LL. I'll ignore that....it's the most expensive supplier possible. I've switched and will refuse to pay for the first 3 weeks on that awful supplier whilst the property was switched over. Take me to court I don't care....

nidO

As we're referring purely to internet provider here, if your property is physically fitted with a BT line rather than solely having Virgin cabling, you can use whatever provider you wish if there's nothing in your tenancy agreement stating otherwise.
I would go back to your management office and TELL them that you're having switching to sky for your internet connection, and that they're welcome to point to the clause in your contract that prohibits changing it.
Methinks the person in the office is an idiot, and doesn't know the difference between television and internet services.

HappyMJ

nidO wrote: »

As we're referring purely to internet provider here, if your property is physically fitted with a BT line rather than solely having Virgin cabling, you can use whatever provider you wish if there's nothing in your tenancy agreement stating otherwise.
I would go back to your management office and TELL them that you're having switching to sky for your internet connection, and that they're welcome to point to the clause in your contract that prohibits changing it.
Methinks the person in the office is an idiot, and doesn't know the difference between television and internet services.

Even if the tenancy agreement has a clause prohibiting the switching of providers that clause can be ignored. It's unenforceable.

jjlandlord

HappyMJ wrote: »

Even if the tenancy agreement has a clause prohibiting the switching of providers that clause can be ignored. It's unenforceable.

Depends...

HappyMJ

jjlandlord wrote: »

Depends...

On what? I have that clause and I have switched. What's going to happen now? I suspect nothing.