Avoiding digital and broadband disputes

Landlords and tenants can get confused about digital facilities in a rental, which can cause unwanted friction.

Tuesday, November 1st 2022, 9:23AM

by Sally Lindsay

Tenancy Services says in the case of digital television, for example, if the landlord has it already installed, he/she must also repair and maintain the equipment. However, if their property is not set up for digital TV, they don’t have to install or upgrade equipment to receive it.

If a tenant decides they want to install digital TV, they have to get the landlord’s written permission to install it. The landlord can’t withhold permission without a good reason.

Before agreeing to install digital TV the landlord and tenant need to decide who will own the equipment. Often satellite dishes are the property of the company that provides the service – e.g. Sky.

If a tenant is already renting a property and the landlord decides to install digital TV, he/she will need the tenant’s permission to access the property. This also applies if they want someone to do the installation for them. When carrying out the work, they need to respect the tenant’s right to quiet enjoyment.

Tenants can remove their digital TV fixtures at the end of a tenancy as long as it doesn't cause irreparable damage. This means some landlords prefer to install digital TV themselves.

If the tenants does remove the equipment at the end of the tenancy, they must ensure any damage is repaired. For example, repairing mounting or cabling holes.

Other fixtures can be added during a tenancy but the landlord must agree.

Before signing a tenancy agreement and a tenant requests a landline connection, there must be enough working telephone jacks.

Tenants should also check what internet services are available at the address and will need to pay the bills for these utilities.

In the case of fibre broadband, tenants can request it to be installed and landlords must agree (if it is possible and can be installed at no cost to them), unless specific exemptions apply.

Landlords must allow it, unless:

installation would compromise the structural integrity, weathertightness or character of the property;
installation would breach any regulations;
the landlord intends to begin or takes material steps towards extensive renovations or repairs within 90 days of the tenant’s request, and installation would affect that work;
the landlord applies to the Tenancy Tribunal and it decides that the landlord does not have to install fibre.

Landlords must respond to a fibre request from tenants within 21 days of receiving it. This also applies to requests for more information from providers.

Tags: landlords