Broadband in a rented property

It has increasingly become a necessity for tenants to be able to access broadband in a rented property. In our world of connectivity and information, broadband is essential, and as a landlord, you have a responsibility for the internet to be accessible in your rental property. This way, you’ll be enhancing tenant satisfaction, supporting a modern lifestyle and boosting the appeal and value of your property. 

Why broadband in a rented property is crucial in today’s rental market

There is not much that can be done in today’s world without the internet, including streaming TV shows or being able to stay connected with family members who live far away. Having dependable broadband in your rented property is what enables your tenants to go about their daily lives with ease, and could easily be a non-negotiable for some tenants. 

Further to this, since the pandemic, there has been a global shift towards remote working and online learning. So, it is clear that renting out a property with dependable broadband is a necessity, but this can very easily be overlooked by many in the rental market. But, beyond enhanced tenant satisfaction, broadband in a rented property will increase the value of your property, leading to higher rental yields. 

Inclusive vs. independent broadband in a rental property

There are a few options you can take when installing broadband in a rental property and offering it to your tenants. For example: 

All-inclusive package

Having an all-inclusive package involves including broadband within the rental package. This is beneficial for tenants because moving into the property becomes simple as they’re able to connect and use the broadband straight away. There is also a potential for landlords to secure a bulk discount from certain broadband providers as a package. 

Being able to offer your tenants broadband in a rented property is a great way to gain a competitive advantage in the rental market. 

There are drawbacks to this, however, such as needing to manage the cost of installing broadband in a rental property, with the monthly costs, too. Also, you’ll need to ensure that your tenants are using the broadband in a respectful manner. 

Tenant arranged

With this set-up, tenants are responsible for setting up and managing broadband themselves. This allows tenants to choose their preferred broadband provider with the package that suits their needs. 

However, this can lead to tenant frustration if the property’s existing infrastructure is older or poor, as the set-up process can be more complicated. Also, as a landlord, you may miss the opportunity to differentiate your property compared to competitors in the rental market. 

What is a landlord’s internet responsibility?

It is important to note, however, that despite the approach you choose to take regarding broadband in your rented property, there are still legal and contractual obligations you’ll need to adhere to as the landlord. 

If you decide to provide the service for your tenants, you’ll need to ensure that your connection is speedy enough, reliable and that you offer support if your tenants need it. But if tenants need to sort their own broadband out, make sure that your property is able to facilitate quick, reliable internet without hassle. 

Preventing disputes

In order to prevent disputes as much as possible, it is important to be as clear as possible with your tenants on what your expectations are regarding broadband in your rented property. You’ll need to start by detailing all of the broadband provisions in the tenancy agreement, including who is responsible for what, the expected service level if you are the one providing the internet and if there are any limitations or specific rules you’d like your tenants to follow. 

Be sure to state the broadband provisions in your listing, too, as it helps attract the right type of tenants, manages their expectations from the beginning and reduces queries later on. 

Another responsibility you have as a landlord for internet in your property is to ensure that the internet provided is of good quality and fast enough to support more than one device connected to it. There ultimately needs to be minimal downtime with no buffering. This will ensure tenant satisfaction and set you apart from competitors in the rental market. 

Practical tips for landlords providing broadband 

Here are a few practical tips to ensure that you navigate your broadband provision well. 

Negotiate service agreements 

Before deciding on a broadband provider, research each one thoroughly. Make sure that you compare packages and don’t hesitate to negotiate if you need to, especially if you own multiple rental properties or a block of flats. 

Consider going for business broadband packages as they often come with better customer support and guaranteed service levels. 

Infrastructure

A crucial part of making sure you’re able to set up broadband in your rented property effectively is to ensure your property has adequate internal wiring to be able to support modern broadband speeds. You may need to consider fibre optic installations. 

Also, you need to ensure that you assess the strength of the Wi-Fi throughout the whole property, especially if your property has thicker walls or is larger than most. If your Wi-Fi is not strong enough to reach every part of the property, you should install Wi-Fi extenders. 

Open communication 

It is always essential that you’re proactive as a landlord, especially if you decide to provide broadband in your rented property. 

• Regularly check the service quality of your broadband yourself. 
• Be sure to establish clear channels for tenants to be able to report any connectivity issues. 
• If your tenants come to you with any issues, make sure that you respond to them swiftly, as this will boost tenant goodwill. 
• Remain informed about any new technologies and upgrade your service as you need to keep pace with the demands of broadband. 

As we mentioned earlier, it is imperative that your rented property can access broadband. By doing this, you’ll be able to add value and desirability to your property and foster happiness amongst your tenants. 

Take care of your property and the safety of your tenants by investing in landlord insurance. At CIA Landlords, we have the expertise to find the best landlord insurance deals that are suitable for your needs. Contact us today at 01788 818 670 for a quote, and don’t forget to visit our resource centre for more information on how to manage your property effectively.