TV aerial query

tomhudson21

Hi all,

We just moved into a new house.

The TV aerial has one visible wire that comes from the aerial through the exterior wall and into a bedroom upstairs.

We have a NOW TV box that requires a normal aerial. I assume we simply need to pay an engineer to sort the wires out so they go downstairs.

My question is whether it is my responsibility to pay for this, or whether it's part of a landlord's duties to provide what I consider to be a standard facility.

Thoughts?

G_M

Ask the landlord.But he is under no obligation to do anything.


If you arrange it yourself (whether DIY or engineer) beware causing damage to the property (eg drilling holes!). Ideally get the LL's written consent to whatever you intend to do.

tomhudson21

Thanks for reply. Is the lack of obligation because being able to watch TV isn't considered 'essential' to living in a property?

Just so I can understand, if we turned up and the lights didn't work due to lack of wiring, would the landlord also not be obliged to fix that on their expense?

And yes, I would get the landlord's consent before doing anything to the house, but worth pointing out.

Slithery

Ask the landlord if he's willing to let you pay for an extension to be fitted (and get this in writing).

If it was that important to you the time to query the setup was before signing the tenancy agreement.

Slithery

tomhudson21 wrote: »

Is the lack of obligation because being able to watch TV isn't considered 'essential' to living in a property?

No.

It's because there isn't a clause in your tenancy agreement stating that the LL is to provide a downstairs TV socket.

G_M

There are various relevant laws:
Landlord & Tenant Act 1985

11 Repairing obligations in short leases.

(1)In a lease to which this section applies (as to which, see sections 13 and 14) there is implied a covenant by the lessor—

(a)to keep in repair the structure and exterior of the dwelling-house (including drains, gutters and external pipes),

(b)to keep in repair and proper working order the installations in the dwelling-house for the supply of water, gas and electricity and for sanitation (including basins, sinks, baths and sanitary conveniences, but not other fixtures, fittings and appliances for making use of the supply of water, gas or electricity), and

(c)to keep in repair and proper working order the installations in the dwelling-house for space heating and heating water.

and

8 Implied terms as to fitness for human habitation.

(1)In a contract to which this section applies for the letting of a house for human habitation there is implied, notwithstanding any stipulation to the contrary—

(a)a condition that the house is fit for human habitation at the commencement of the tenancy, and

(b)an undertaking that the house will be kept by the landlord fit for human habitation during the tenancy.

Then there's H&S leglislation too eg The Housing Health & Safety Rating System, but none of this would apply to TV facilities!

tomhudson21

Yes you're right, I wish I realised it was an issue before I moved in.

I actually asked the person showing me round whether it had one and she pointed a cable out - the issue was that there IS a coaxial cable in the living room, but it comes from a satellite dish that's also there - which does not work with my NOW TV box. I guess that's my mistake for not knowing there was a difference.

tomhudson21

Thanks for advice all, will take into account and discuss with landlord.

Daniel1971

Are you sure you need it for the Now box? Mine runs off WiFi, no aerial required

davidmcn

tomhudson21 wrote: »

Is the lack of obligation because being able to watch TV isn't considered 'essential' to living in a property?

Not sure that it's ever been considered essential, and I'd say it's of dwindling importance these days even if you considered it essential to somehow watch tv. I haven't used an aerial since 2001.

googler

tomhudson21 wrote: »

... there IS a coaxial cable in the living room, but it comes from a satellite dish that's also there - which does not work with my NOW TV box. I guess that's my mistake for not knowing there was a difference.

Basic satellite boxes for Sky can be got for buttons from eBay.

And, as was said, the NowTV box works via a home network/broadband connection via router