Who should pay for entry/intercom system registration?

rorydelap

We're renting a flat and the main entrance has an entry/intercom system. This is needed for anyone visiting (especially deliveries) to let us know they're there, as in some cases they won't or can't ring us. Currently the system doesn't work, and we've realised it's supposed to connect to a mobile, and that needs to be set up.

We contacted the landlord about this and they gave us enough information that we were able to find the right people, who told us that it's chargeable. Whilst it isn't a huge cost (around £35), I'm curious to know whether there's an obligation for the landlord to pay this, or if we need to pay it ourselves. It feels strange that we can be let a flat without knowing any of this, or having an entry system that works from the outset.

EssexHebridean

Is this a communal entry phone system for all flats - so £35 between them? Or specifically just for your flat? If the former, then it would come down to what provision was made for it in the leases I would imagine. If the latter, then was it mentioned when you took the tenancy? If you were told then that the system was in place and available for your use, I’d suggest that points to something that your LL should be sorting.

propertyrental

If the system is part of property you are renting, which seems likely, then it is up to the landlord to repai.

Report it to the LL in writing as you would for any repairng issues.

Post 2: Repairing Obligations: the law, common misconceptions, reporting/enforcing, retaliatory eviction & the new tenant protection (2015) plus the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018

BobT36

If you've broken it (intentionally or carelessly), OR you got it installed yourself, then you. 

If it's been provided to you and/or was broken accidentally or through wear / tear, then the landlord.

subjecttocontract

What would happen if you didn't have a mobile phone ?

rorydelap

EssexHebridean said:

Is this a communal entry phone system for all flats - so £35 between them? Or specifically just for your flat? If the former, then it would come down to what provision was made for it in the leases I would imagine. If the latter, then was it mentioned when you took the tenancy? If you were told then that the system was in place and available for your use, I’d suggest that points to something that your LL should be sorting.

It's specifically for our flat. It wasn't mentioned at all by the letting agency or landlord in any capacity, and isn't mentioned in the contract.

propertyrental said:

If the system is part of property you are renting, which seems likely, then it is up to the landlord to repai.

Report it to the LL in writing as you would for any repairng issues.

Post 2: Repairing Obligations: the law, common misconceptions, reporting/enforcing, retaliatory eviction & the new tenant protection (2015) plus the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018

The thing is, it isn't broken, it needs a 'registration update' (I assume the previous registration was removed, maybe when the previous tenant left, so there isn't one in place now). So it's not a 'repair' as such.

BobT36 said:

If you've broken it (intentionally or carelessly), OR you got it installed yourself, then you. 

If it's been provided to you and/or was broken accidentally or through wear / tear, then the landlord.

As with previous comment, it's not broken, just not registered.

subjecttocontract said:

What would happen if you didn't have a mobile phone ?

That's a great question, I really don't know!

user1977

subjecttocontract said:

What would happen if you didn't have a mobile phone ?

Then you get a mobile phone? Realistically though, what proportion of private renters don't have a phone?

subjecttocontract

What annoys me is that an increasing number of aspects of modern life require not just a mobile phone but a smart phone. We aren't born with a mobile and nobody provides us with one and I usually object to having to provide one.
Having a mobile is a personal choice not a compulsory requirement as far as I'm concerned.

NameUnavailable

Are you saying that there is not a working doorbell / entry system at present? So visitors/delivery people can't let you know they're at the door?

rorydelap

NameUnavailable said:

Are you saying that there is not a working doorbell / entry system at present? So visitors/delivery people can't let you know they're at the door?

That's exactly right, we were a little astonished to realise this at first. With the way the system works, we'd at least expect the landlord to have informed us in advance so we could arrange to have it sorted on the move in date.

We're going to sort it ASAP but I'm a little annoyed overall at the way it played out in terms of us having to go out of our way with deliveries etc. As a result I'm extra keen to figure out if I can pass the cost to the landlord, as a matter of principle.

As I understand it from the response of the company who sort the entry system, currently there's no 'maintenance contract' in place, and therefore there'll be the £35 charge. So it seems like rather than just being a case of updating the registration it's also actually initiating that contract.

I'd like to know if I have the right to pass on some (if there are 2 steps with separate charges, I've asked for that info and awaiting a response), or all of those costs to the landlord.

theartfullodger

Landlord responsibility to pay.  Cheeky greedy landlord you have.

Artful, Landlord since 2000