£3,000 for BT to install phone line? !!!
I have recently purchased a bungalow. Originally there was a house with an enormous garden, and about fifty years ago a bungalow was built halfway down the garden, accessed by a narrow drive between the houses about 30m long. This was recently acquired by a developer who extended the bungalow and divided it into two and is builiding a third bungalow next to them. I bought the bungalow created when the first one was divided.
The original bungalow had one phone line, which has been taken by the other bungalow which was bought before I bought mine. My tenant has asked BT to install a phone line for him. After promising him free installation, they now say it will cost about £3,000 as a new line has to be brought in about 40m from the road. Presumably once it’s built and sold the owners of the third bungalow will be in the same position and might share costs.
Is there no responsibility on the part of BT to provide the new line for free? 
Surely they will benefit for many future years?
It seems they have a monopoly as you can’t employ anyone else to do this work!
Any ideas anyone?
Edna
Comments
Have Your Say
Every day, landlords who want to influence policy and share real-world experience add their voice here. Your perspective helps keep the debate balanced.
Not a member yet? Join In Seconds
Login with
Previous Article
Tenant with AWOL Landlord AND Property Manager!Next Article
Who do you know working on R2R strategy?
Member Since January 2011 - Comments: 12209 - Articles: 1405
11:20 AM, 21st October 2014, About 12 years ago
Ouch!
.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 561
2:16 PM, 21st October 2014, About 12 years ago
This is interesting as has a tenant got the right to assume they can have a phone connection for a reasonable cost? After all, we don’t state anywhere that there is a water connection to a property, but would not expect to rent a property with no mains water….
Member Since January 2011 - Comments: 12209 - Articles: 1405
2:33 PM, 21st October 2014, About 12 years ago
Thinking outside of the box, if one property has a phone maybe they could be persuaded to have high speed broadband and sell IP phone connectivity and wireless broadband to the others?
Alternatively, what about mobiles?
.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 1434
5:03 PM, 21st October 2014, About 12 years ago
BT are not a charity.
I imagine that they will either have to dig a trench for the phone line or erect poles to carry it.
Member Since July 2014 - Comments: 150
7:20 PM, 21st October 2014, About 12 years ago
Its 2014-who needs an old fashioned hard wired phone line for goodness sake! (well at that price anyway!)
Wouldn’t it be far cheaper simply to provide your tenant with a basic spec mobile with reasonable unlimited calls @ circa £15/20 month!?
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 561
7:31 PM, 21st October 2014, About 12 years ago
-> Its 2014-who needs an old fashioned hard wired phone line for goodness
Anyone that want to have decant internet and is not in a virgin cable TV area.
Member Since September 2013 - Comments: 33
9:15 PM, 21st October 2014, About 12 years ago
Mobile reception isn’t brilliant but acceptable. However internet is difficult without a landline – the suggestion of a deal with the other bungalow for a share of the wifi could work though! You can’t have sky without a landline can you? Tenant is disabled so home a lot…
Thanks for your comments!
Edna
Member Since January 2011 - Comments: 12209 - Articles: 1405
9:32 PM, 21st October 2014, About 12 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “Edna ” at “21/10/2014 – 21:15“:
You would need to get a good Wifi extender if you decide to go down that route. Better still Cat 5 cabling or a lazer
.
Member Since October 2014 - Comments: 423
10:27 PM, 21st October 2014, About 12 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “Edna ” at “21/10/2014 – 21:15“:
What will Virgin charge, if anything, to connect internet only?
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 561
10:36 PM, 21st October 2014, About 12 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “Jay James” at “21/10/2014 – 22:27“:
IF (a big if) there is virgin in the road, then their charges to connect are very low.