TV point/signal problem, should landlord fix it?

cybervic

We moved into a place that has 2 TV point on a built-in TV cabinet/shelf unit and an additional TV cable on the floor (coming out of from the side of the unit.)

However none of the TV point works. We contacted LA asking what type of set up previous tenants had, the tenants said they couldn't set it up so they didn't watch any TV.

We called LA again, asking if they could contact LL and ask what the original set up was when they were here (i.e.freeview/freesat or other cable TV.) The agent straight away told me (and I quote) "LL is not required by law to provide you with TV aerial, if you are desperate you can buy one for indoor use from Argos."

I told them yes I know the law does not require such but that's not very fair because there are TV points here when we viewed the flat and of course we'd assume it is working unless being told otherwise. The LA just repeatedly saying it's not specified in the law nor the contract that LL has to provide TV signal and that's it.

so I just found that in our tenancy agreement, it says "LL is to keep in repair and proper working order all mechanical and electrical items belonging to the Landlord and forming part of the Fixtures and Fittings."

Can I argue to them that therefore TV point has to be working because it's been provided? we live in a purpose built flat and uses a communal aerial (there is only 1 aerial on the building roof.) and all the neighbour have no problem with their TV signal.

Thanks in advance.

teddysmum

My son's newbuild house, as did ours many years ago, had an aerial socket but no service until we paid for it. (We could only have aerial tv in those days, but our son took Sky.)


If previous tenants had Sky or Virgin, the service would have ceased when they moved (possibly taking the Sky dish which was theirs to possibly use in a caravan or other home). Likewise,if someone had Freeview tv via an aerial they hd very right to take the aerial with them,especially if it was an indoor one.


Many houses have washing machine and cooker points , but you don't expect the actual appliance to be supplied because of this.

aneary

teddysmum wrote: »

My son's newbuild house, as did ours many years ago, had an aerial socket but no service until we paid for it. (We could only have aerial tv in those days, but our son took Sky.)


If previous tenants had Sky or Virgin, the service would have ceased when they moved (possibly taking the Sky dish which was theirs to possibly use in a caravan or other home). Likewise,if someone had Freeview tv via an aerial they hd very right to take the aerial with them,especially if it was an indoor one.


Many houses have washing machine and cooker points , but you don't expect the actual appliance to be supplied because of this.

You are incorrect in most communal flats there is a communal aerial and sky dish therefore the previous tennants cannot take the dish or aerial with them.

The connection points are linked to the dish and aerial and whilst sky will not work if you do not have an account the tv aerial should.

I would say there is broken connection between the aerial and your tv points this would be something that your LL should help fix, if there is a concierge/handyman in your flats they may be able to help, if not write directly to your LL asking for this to be fixed as it isn't something you can fix without damaging the walls the cables sit behind.

always_sunny

cybervic wrote: »

Can I argue to them that therefore TV point has to be working because it's been provided? we live in a purpose built flat and uses a communal aerial (there is only 1 aerial on the building roof.) and all the neighbour have no problem with their TV signal.

Thanks in advance.

did you ask the neighbours if that is the case? There's a centralised aerial in my flat and reception is really bad, but we all have sky dish installed so we have a digibox for free to air tv.

stator

You should be able to tell the difference between sky/virgin points and freeview points. Sky/Virgin always use F-connects. Freeview mostly uses coaxial connectors like this

From what you have posted I would say the contract does indicate the sockts should be in working condition.
Write a letter to the agent asking them to fix it, as per your contract. Also ask for the address of your landlord.

cjmillsnun

Not strictly true. The virgin V6 box uses a belling lee connector as shown above.

Geoff1963

Many houses have washing machine and cooker points , but you don't expect the actual appliance to be supplied because of this.

True, but a tenant might reasonably expect there to be water and electricity supplied to them.

da_rule

The Landlord could argue that the sockets are working but the issue is with the supply to the socket which may be the responsibility of someone else (i.e. the freeholder).

You'd then have to see whether the freeholder has any obligation on them to ensure that the supply cables/ariel etc are properly maintained. If they do then you'd have to ask your landlord to enforce this obligation or see if you can under the tenancy.

45002

cybervic wrote:

We moved into a place that has 2 TV point on a built-in TV cabinet/shelf unit and an additional TV cable on the floor (coming out of from the side of the unit.)

However none of the TV point works. We contacted LA asking what type of set up previous tenants had, the tenants said they couldn't set it up so they didn't watch any TV.

We called LA again, asking if they could contact LL and ask what the original set up was when they were here (i.e.freeview/freesat or other cable TV.) The agent straight away told me (and I quote) "LL is not required by law to provide you with TV aerial, if you are desperate you can buy one for indoor use from Argos."

I told them yes I know the law does not require such but that's not very fair because there are TV points here when we viewed the flat and of course we'd assume it is working unless being told otherwise. The LA just repeatedly saying it's not specified in the law nor the contract that LL has to provide TV signal and that's it.

so I just found that in our tenancy agreement, it says "LL is to keep in repair and proper working order all mechanical and electrical items belonging to the Landlord and forming part of the Fixtures and Fittings."

Can I argue to them that therefore TV point has to be working because it's been provided? we live in a purpose built flat and uses a communal aerial (there is only 1 aerial on the building roof.) and all the neighbour have no problem with their TV signal.

Thanks in advance.

Buy one of these

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TV-Aerial-Version-Ultra-Thin-Amplified/dp/B01H359Y0Q/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1501512392&sr=8-2&keywords=tvfox+antenna

and stop moaning about it............:cool2:

406 customer reviews

sevenhills

cybervic wrote: »

We moved into a place that has 2 TV point on a built-in TV cabinet/shelf unit and an additional TV cable on the floor (coming out of from the side of the unit.)

If your 'place' is a house, a solution to your problem could be quite inexpensive.
Just get a aerial/TV man to diagnose your problem.

Norman_Castle

If you pay a service charge that may include maintenance of the communal aerial, if so you should be able to use it.

Try tracing the wiring to find loose or broken connections.

Ask the neighbours if they are using freesat.

The landlord is being tight. If you pay to get this fixed find out how to disable it when you leave.