Broadband is now arguably valued as highly as heating and running water but there’s still confusion around setting up internet in rented accommodation.
We’re going to be tackling this topic by sharing tips in response to common questions that are often asked around broadband in rented accommodation to help you make an informed decision about connectivity in your next home.
Are tenants expected to arrange their own broadband contract?
Many tenancy agreements should allow you to arrange your own broadband but some rentals, such as HMOs or where the landlord lives there, may have existing arrangements.
If your next home doesn’t have broadband and you select your own provider and speed, there are a few things to keep in mind when doing so:
- Assess how fast your broadband needs to be. The more people that live in the property, the faster the broadband should be.
- Perform a postcode check with a broadband comparison site on the rental before you sign the tenancy agreement to find out what broadband speeds are possible at your new address.
- Sign up for your chosen deal as soon as you have a moving date.
Typically, the more people there are in a household, the faster the speed requirement, so fibre-optic broadband is often required and is even more useful now as people work from home more which adds to other day-to-day demands such as using streaming services.
Can you install a new broadband connection in a rental?
While it’s unlikely that a modern rental property won’t have an existing connection, it’s still possible.
If there’s no existing phone line or broadband connection, ask your landlord or letting agent for permission in writing first before installing your own.
Most landlords shouldn’t mind especially as having a broadband connection makes the property more marketable, but of course, you do need to make sure you check first.
Having permission in writing also protects you should there be any confusion when it comes to getting your deposit back later down the line.
Can you move your current broadband contract to your new address?
Usually, it’s possible to move your current broadband contract to your new address but when you perform the initial broadband postcode check, make sure your provider is on the list for your new location.
If they aren’t, check their website to see if they can provide services at your new address and if they can give them as much notice of the move as possible and they should be able to manage everything for you.
Most providers require a minimum of 14 or 28 days but the more notice you can provide, the better.
If they can’t provide broadband at your new address, check how long you have left on the fixed term part of your broadband contract (that’s the 12 or 24 months initial phase of the contract). After that, it’ll switch to a rolling monthly contract unless you change it, which means you’ll likely need to give 30 days’ notice to become free at the end of this term.
If you’re within that fixed part of your contract, you may be liable for early termination fees.
Some providers charge this fee when you move out of a coverage area and some don’t, so it’s worth discussing your situation and negotiating if you need to.
What if the landlord or other tenants have a broadband contract that doesn’t suit your needs?
In situations where an existing broadband contract isn’t fast enough for your needs, there are a few options you can explore but before you do, make sure you confirm you can have faster broadband at the address.
Option 1: Discuss the potential upgrade with your fellow tenants and the landlord. Some may agree to switching if you pay any extra costs, some may not. If they agree to faster broadband, whoever’s named on the contract will need to upgrade it, so work together with them to arrange the upgrade and pay any extra costs.
Option 2: If your landlord or fellow tenants don’t agree, or if it isn’t possible to upgrade, you could arrange a second broadband connection purely for your own use. As long as the landlord doesn’t mind a second line being installed, you can arrange your own broadband connection at the speed you want.
Option 3: If you don’t want to or can’t have a second line installed and nobody wants to upgrade, consider using mobile broadband. Check mobile broadband coverage at your new address and discover your options. Shop around for a contract with sufficient data and either use a mobile broadband dongle or pair your phone, that way, you’ll get the connection you want without having to negotiate or share with anyone who may not want to switch.
Is it safe to share a broadband connection with other tenants?
In many cases it’s perfectly safe to share broadband with other tenants, however, if you’re working from home or concerned about privacy, you can use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to encrypt all your data.
