Responsibility for OpenReach Reconnection - LL or Tennant

coffeecrisp

I'm trying to get internet set up in a new place. I've called my desired provider, they said they can't find my property on their system and I need to contact OpenReach to get added to a database. They told me that if my line is not active, I need to pay £60 to OpenReach to get reconnected. (Hopefully the line is still active and this is all irrelevant)

As far as I understand, OpenReach is BT and most broadband providers (with Virgin being the notable exception) use BT. When I had a look at the property, I made sure to look out for a BT master socket, and I figured all would be well and good. I've never run into a situation like this renting before, because there was always a connection.

If it turns out there's no connection, is it my responisbility to pay the £60? It's a benefit to the property, I won;t be taking it with me when I leave, surely that would fall on the landlord

I see it as a way to access a utility: I wouldn't expcet a landlord to pay or set up my British Gas account, but if there was no gas meter in the proprety, they would be the ones to cover the installation.

I've checked my tennacy agreement and there's nothing on this subject

And to preempt any rentiers eager to claim that internet isn't an essential utility, it's 2018 and the UN disagrees with you.

Comms69

Tenant. Unless broadband point is mentioned in tenancy.

Comms69

Oh and no the LL wouldn’t cover a gas meter either....

G_M

Unless the tenancy agreement says BB is provided, it is your choice if and how to install it.


You can of course ask your landlord - he might see it as a benefit and agree to pay. Or not.


Same with gas!

Owain_Moneysaver

You can ask the landlord.

Not all providers will charge a new line fee, but they will usually sign you up to 12 or 18 month contract, so make sure your tenancy won't end before the broadband contract. For example this Now BB offer is free new connection on a 12 month contract.

davidmcn

coffeecrisp wrote: »

I wouldn't expcet a landlord to pay or set up my British Gas account, but if there was no gas meter in the proprety, they would be the ones to cover the installation.

Even if there were a capped-off gas supply, then no, there's no implied obligation on the landlord to get the property reconnected. Same for your phone line.

coffeecrisp

Are you saying if I rented a property with pre-existing gas appliances, it would be my responsibility as a tenant to ensure there was a working gas connection?

Comms69

Yes - why are you so surprised by this?

You’d also need a gas safety inspection I’d say

coffeecrisp

Comms69 wrote: »

Yes - why are you so surprised by this?

You’d also need a gas safety inspection I’d say

"Your landlord must make sure your home reaches a standard level of repair called the 'repairing standard'.

the installations for the supply of water, gas, electricity, and for sanitation, space heating and heating water must be in a reasonable state of repair and in proper working order (these include external installations such as drains)"

Excerpt from Shelter's website, as I'm apparently not allowed to post links.

Comms69

coffeecrisp wrote: »

"Your landlord must make sure your home reaches a standard level of repair called the 'repairing standard'.

the installations for the supply of water, gas, electricity, and for sanitation, space heating and heating water must be in a reasonable state of repair and in proper working order (these include external installations such as drains)"

Excerpt from Shelter's website, as I'm apparently not allowed to post links.

Yes except if the gas isn’t connected there is no ‘working order’.

davidmcn

coffeecrisp wrote: »

Are you saying if I rented a property with pre-existing gas appliances, it would be my responsibility as a tenant to ensure there was a working gas connection?

You hadn't said anything about pre-existing appliances.