Landlords must allow tenant fibre broadband upgrades

A new amendment to the Renters’ Rights Bill will see landlords having to accept fibre broadband installation requests from tenants.

As with the proposed new rules on accepting pets, landlords cannot ‘unreasonably refuse’ permission for a broadband upgrade.

A government spokesman told Property 118: “We are determined to close the digital divide and ensure everyone has access to fast and reliable broadband, no matter where they live or work.

“Our Renters’ Rights Bill will transform the experience of private renting and we will respond to the amendment in due course, while we continue to work with operators, landowners, housing associations and local authorities on this important issue.”

Broadband installation for tenants

Last week, broadband provider Openreach introduced the proposal, which was then incorporated into an amendment to the Renters’ Rights Bill by Baroness Janke.

As the Bill progresses through the House of Lords, her amendment stipulates that landlords and agents must not ‘unreasonably refuse’ permission for fibre broadband installation in a rented property.

Landlords are expected to reply to such requests within 28 days.

The firm’s chief executive, Clive Selley, has strongly supported the amendment, noting that it would be odd for tenants currently to have more right to request a pet but not a quicker broadband connection.

Tenants struggle to get fast speeds

Recent research suggests that around one in four renters struggles to obtain dependable high-speed internet, primarily because of limiting rental contracts.

Also, an Office for National Statistics (ONS) report reveals that around 10% of households do not have access to a consistent internet connection, significantly affecting educational prospects and remote working potential.

The Bill’s amendment will introduce several provisions to strengthen tenants’ rights:

• Mandatory installations: Landlords must permit tenants to install fibre broadband upon request, as long as the work is done by professionals
• Notice period: Tenants will be given adequate warning of any changes to internet service provision to prevent interruptions
• Cost: Landlords must communicate with the tenant any costs from having fibre broadband access.

Openreach’s amendment proposal

In its written submission to the Renters’ Rights Bill, Openreach, the UK’s biggest broadband provider, said: “Openreach believes that the Renters’ Rights Reform Bill represents a significant opportunity to support universal access to gigabit-capable broadband, potentially by requiring ultrafast broadband in all properties or by requiring registration or listing on properties of the freeholder. Such provisions would prevent the digital divide across the country widening.”

It added: “The Renters’ Rights Bill will give a tenant the right to request a pet, ‘such consent is not to be unreasonably refused by the landlord’, yet not the right to request full fibre broadband. The installation of full fibre is, in the main, unobtrusive and wherever possible simply replaces the copper cable into premises.

“Research shows that properties with gigabit connectivity carry a price premium over those without, so it should be positive for the building owner and the tenant.

“Openreach are acutely conscious and respectful of the rights of freeholders: supporting the upgrading of broadband properties in multi-dwelling units should not impinge on these rights and could support property values.”