Landlord -Fibre to the home

Trigger98

Hi

Im shortly moving house and have an existing contract for broadband etc with BT. I've arranged the house move, but have been told by BT that they have fibre to the home in area so I have to go for that or slow traditional broadband - the latter won't be suitable.

The fibre requires the copper to be replaced with fibre. This will involve a small hole being drilled in the property and the fibre will be fed through the existing pipework in the drive, no digging etc required. Openreach will also put a small modem sized box outside the property at the entry point and another inside.

Previous experience with landlords is that they have no objection to open reach installing broadband etc. However the initial indication from my soon to be landlord is that he does not want fibre installed, which will therefore limit me to very slow traditional broadband. I'm going to discuss in more detail, but could this be classed as being unreasonably withheld as they simply don't want it?

Thanks

HappyMJ

Ask BT if they can feed the fibre line through the existing hole that the copper cable runs through. No extra holes...no need for LL permission.

I wouldn't bother asking anyway. All you need to do at the end of the tenancy is make good any damage that has been caused. A hole in the brick wall can be filled and there will be no loss to the LL. If you don't fill it the LL can ask for a deduction to be made to your deposit for making good any damage but what's that going to be....10 pence worth of filler. Just go ahead and do it.

AdrianC

No, it would not be unreasonable.

You have a choice - you can do it as MJ suggests, without the landlord's permission, and put it right at the end of the tenancy. Or you can rent somewhere else that does suit your requirements.

[Deleted User]

I would imagine its like LL's trying to say who should supply your gas and electric (I've had this happen twice now). They can't. My LL also said I couldn't have a water meter installed.., until the whole street was metered as part of a scheme.

If I was you, I'd just go ahead. I would also ask BT if slow broadband can be supplied via the fibre connection..,I know it sounds daft but its worth asking. I had fibre and wasn't told slow broadband couldn't be provided. I seem to remember it being one of the possible options.

I just can't see a LL charging a tenant to put a slower delivery system back into the house after they move out. Surely any LL would see the change is to their benefit and the benefit of future tenants. PS I still remember dial up lol.

AnnieO1234

deannatrois wrote: »

I would imagine its like LL's trying to say who should supply your gas and electric (I've had this happen twice now). They can't. My LL also said I couldn't have a water meter installed.., until the whole street was metered as part of a scheme.

If I was you, I'd just go ahead. I would also ask BT if slow broadband can be supplied via the fibre connection..,I know it sounds daft but its worth asking. I had fibre and wasn't told slow broadband couldn't be provided. I seem to remember it being one of the possible options.

I just can't see a LL charging a tenant to put a slower delivery system back into the house after they move out. Surely any LL would see the change is to their benefit and the benefit of future tenants. PS I still remember dial up lol.

Depending on the type of person the rental is aimed at, and if you can't switch to a slower connection easily, the landlord maybe concerned that it will lead to being a reason people don't want his property. Fibre broadband isn't exactly cheap compared with standard yet. Xxx

G_M

If the LL says no, then you rely on basic contract law.

Your contract includes an implied agreement that you won't damage the property. If you (or BT on your behalf) make a hole in the fabric of the building, that is damage.

You can either repair the damage before you leave or be charged for the cost of repair.

Note that 'repair' does not just mean bunging some filler in the hole. Given this is an external wall, it would need to be properly made good, and painted/decorated (if for example the wall was painted/cladded etc). Inside and out.

System

This is what you will get installed for FTTP, not just another hole in the wall

HappyMJ

!!!!!! wrote: »

This is what you will get installed for FTTP, not just another hole in the wall

That looks like just the one hole through the wall to me and not much more than screws holding the other things up. A bit of polyfilla will sort that out and painting between tenancies is expected anyway so no additional cost to landlord.

mrginge

!!!!!! wrote: »

This is what you will get installed for FTTP, not just another hole in the wall

Not in my house it isn't.

AdrianC

One question...

What will BT charge for installation, and what will they charge for removal, excluding making-good afterwards?

If the landlord does not want fibre installed, and has refused permission, then they would be within their rights to charge BT's removal fee, as well as the cost of making-good, to the tenant's deposit on leaving.

System

Where is your fibre modem?

http://bt.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/36968/~/how-is-bt-infinity-fibre-to-the-home-installed%3F