Who is responsible for line activation - tenant or landlord?

InnaS

Hi all,

We've not rented for a while now, but we have now secured a rental flat in Bristol and just found out that there is telephone line, but it has not been activated. Activation fee is £50 through BT. In this day and age broadband is kind of essential (like gas and electricity almost).

Who is responsible for it? Landlord or tenant?

I would appreciate if someone could help, as I'm not sure if I should write to landlord and ask to commission the line activation in their property.

Thanks, Inna

[Deleted User]

It's not an essential first off as it is purely a luxury (unless used for work obviously), but unless it's in your rental agreement (unlikely) it's entirely down to you.

Old_Git

you dont have to use BT .See if you can get a deal elsewhere .

Pincher

The idea is to get a bundle deal that includes installation.

So, if you get a fibre broadband deal, they might charge £20 for "Activation", but if you just ask for a phone line, they could charge £100.

onomatopoeia99

If signing up for a deal that ties you in for 12 or 18 months, before you agree consider if you are likely to stay in that flat for that amount of time - the contract is for supply at the address you take it out. If you move you are still liable, though you may be able to bring it with you. The supplier is under no obligation to allow this though (but most do if they can supply the new address, though you may end up with a new minimum term).

macman

As above, unless it's included in your tenancy agreement, then the phone and broadband, if required, are the tenant's responsibility. Just the same as the gas, electricity and water supplies-you register for and pay from them, not the LL.
Water is presumably more of a necessity than broadband, but you'll rarely find that included in your rental agreement.

rtho782

Plenty of people these days make do with mobile phones only and have no landline, this is not the landlords responsibility unless included in the tenancy (unlikely, sometimes in shared/student houses but not always even then).

Hell, if there was no line in theory you'd need the LL's permission to get one put in.

If you're on a 6 month tenancy, and you go on a 12 or 18 month contract, you'll also need to take it with you or buy it out when you move.