As a tenant, do I have to pay for the initial, one-time phone/internet installation fee, or the landlord?

Question

I'm a student and will be renting a flat with my friend this September. We want to avail of a certain well-known internet/phone provider which specialises in student service in my uni. A lot of the properties being let in Manchester student homes have this ISP, but the flat we are about to rent, being fairly new, doesn't.

The landlord has already agreed to have this installed in his property (he lives abroad), but the agency refuses to pay for the £40 installation fee.

In our opinion they shouldn't charge the tenant for this fee since, as the agency they will benefit from it after we leave, because students will want it, plus it's a permanent thing.

Are there any laws that will back my flatmate and I up on this? The agency is really uptight about money -refusing to pay for photocopying/ increasing the agency fee from what we were initially told (we eventually paid the lower sum), and now this.

Answer 1

If the landlord has agreed, and the property is managed by the agents, the landlord should pay the agents.

But they have also got you over a barrel if the landlord lives abroad (and you have no contact with him/her), as they could make both you and him pay for it, and neither would be the wiser!

Watch our for these agents - if this is their attitude so far, they will likely try and fleece you over the deposit when it comes to moving out too. They love to make money out of students. Sad but true.

Answer 2

In the USA, tenant always pays any installation fees or deposits for phone, TV, internet. You are the one that wants to use them - why should the landlord pay for it?

Answer 3

depends on the intial aggreement

Answer 4

Where I live the tenants are responsible for that as you do not need it..its something you want so therefor we have to pay it around here..

Answer 5

It is your responsibility to pay.

Answer 6

If you want it and the agency wont pay then you will have to. Obviously you don't have to but for common sense sake I would pay for the use of it and accept the loss when you leave.

Many years ago we put a phone into the house we bought on a new estate. It was over a hundred pounds in those days and when we sold the house the new owners got the use of the phone without the major outlay.

That's life.  

Answer 7

It's your responsibility.

Answer 8

You want it so you need to pay for it.  At least that's the way it is in the U.S., but I don't know anything about rental laws in the U.K.

Answer 9

For the sake of discussion (since you live in Manchester), here in California it's the responsibility of the landlord to provide one working telephone outlet.  

You're asking about installation of internet service, which (even here) would be completely different and would be your responsibility.

You should look at your rental agreement  - it might specify.  Most likely it doesn't.  

I tried looking for landlord-tenant info, but could only find the document linked below.  I glanced quickly and didn't see an answer, but maybe you can find something I missed.

So I'm not aware of any law that requires them to do it.  The only leverage I can see you have is that you'll find another place that already has this service.  They may decide that losing you as a tenant is worth paying the installation fee.  

The way to approach this is by reasonably negotiating with them.  

Answer 10

The problem is that the property CAN be rented and obviously has before without the phone/internet .... so IF you want the service ; then it will be up to you to pay for the installation .

You could send the bill to the owner or even call the owner IF he promised to pay for it ...BUT; in the long run , if YOU want it , YOU have to pay for it .

Answer 11

Generally, you would have to pay for those sorts of things. Would you rather the landlord amortized it in your rent over the next year?

Answer 12

It's your responsibility. You don't need a phone line and it isn't essential. Unless your flat was advertised with a phone line then you have to pay yourself. You will also need permission (preferably in writing) from the landlord or letting agency. If you don't want to pay find a flat that has it included or go to the library x