Tenants should know who is responsible for installing and managing phone, digital TV, and internet services. So let’s find out.

Digital TV Facilities

Landlords Can Take Responsibility for Digital TV Services

Landlords do install digital TV services in their houses. If they do, then they must also provide the maintenance and repair services for the equipment.

If the house or the property does have the option to receive digital TV, then the landlord doesn’t have to install the equipment or upgrade it to be able to receive it.

If the landlord is willing to install a digital TV during a tenancy, then it is important to make sure the tenant consents to it. The landlord is liable for gaining permission from the tenant to access the property. This also applies if the landlord hires someone else to manage the installation for them. Moreover, during the work, the landlord needs to respect the tenant’s right to privacy and quiet.

Tenants Can Also Install a Digital

If the landlord doesn’t set up the digital TV or the house cannot receive one, the tenant can install a digital TV themselves. However, they must get written permission from the landlord to do so.

The landlord is liable to grant permission to the tenant, and they cannot withhold the permission without good reason.

Before the agreement is reached and equipment installation is done, the tenant and the landlord must decide who owns the equipment. Often, satellite dishes are the property of the provider company.

The landlord and tenant need a written agreement about who will be responsible for the maintenance and repair of the equipment.

If the tenants install a digital TV, they are allowed to remove their fixtures at the end of the tenancy. However, they must ensure this doesn’t cause any irreparable damage to the property. Sometimes tenants prefer to leave the equipment on the property. If they plan to take it with them, they must ensure any damage such as cabling holes or mounting is repaired. This is why landlords often prefer to do the installation of the equipment themselves.

Telephone and Internet Services

If the tenant wants a landline connected, they need to make sure the house or property has enough working telephone jacks. The tenants are also responsible for checking if internet services are available at the current address. It is recommended that tenants make sure of these things before signing the tenancy contract.

Tenants are responsible for paying the bills for internet and telephone connection on the property.

Fibre Broadband Service

Residential Tenancies Act 2020

According to this reform, as of 11 February 2021, tenants can request their landlord to install fibre broadband. Landlords are liable to agree as long as it is possible to install it at no cost to them. However, specific exemptions do apply.

Tenants must ask the landlord for the installation of fibre broadband in writing. The landlord must allow it as long as:

• Installation doesn’t compromise the property’s structural integrity, character, or weather tightness.
• Installation doesn’t breach any tenancy contract regulations.
• The landlord doesn’t apply for a Tenancy Tribunal, which might subsequently decide that the landlord doesn’t have to install the fibre.
• The landlord doesn’t begin to, or intend to, take any material steps toward extensive renovations or repairs to the property within 90 days of the tenant’s request – so that installation doesn’t impede their work.

Landlords are liable to respond to the tenant’s written request to install fibre within 21 days of receiving it. This also applies to the request for more information from the providers.

Sole Agents Ltd. All rights reserved.
Information provided above is for general reference only. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, Sole Agents Ltd disclaims any liability for any loss or damage whatsoever that may arise whether directly or indirectly as a result of any error, inaccuracy or omission.