Landlord won't all install of phone line?

[tubbletian]

Hi all,

I'm one month into a six month lease (and have only been in the UK for two) and my landlord has FINALLY answered my request for a phone line to be installed.

The answer: No.

At least, I think it was a no, the words were "apologies, we do not supply pphone lines" which is a bit cryptic, but I take it to mean "no you may not have a phone line installed". To me this seems quite unreasonable, being that it is 2012, and I OFFERED TO PAY FOR ALL INSTALLATION COSTS (mainly because if I was relying on them it would never happen), which in itself seems unreasonable since the phone line is not an absurd request and it will only help sell the property to prospective future tenants.

I live in one of six flats in the building, all of which I have seen receiving mail about internet and phone bills. Does anyone have any suggestions about what I can do about this, how to convince the landlord etc? I've enquired about other means of internet (it's purely for the internet) but no wifi/dongle packages suit me.

I'm going to press the landlord about it further but was so shocked at the initial reaction, and thought being from overseas maybe this isn't so uncommon as I think?

Thanks in advance guys!

[LesleyAnne]

Not compulsory for LL to supply. Either get one put in yourself at your cost (with LL's agreement of course) or sign up for mobile broadband!

[tubbletian]

That is what I just wrote, I asked (permission) to have one installed, and told them I would pay for the costs, and they said no. And like I said, mobile broadband doesn't suit me.

[theartfullodger]

Interesting: So was there no existing 'phone socket or physical line to the property??

I think if there was no physical line he can refuse (you'd need his permission to alter the fabric of the property - holes drilled, sockets screwed in): Mind I think he'd be barking mad as in his shoes - as long as the work was done OK - I'd see having a 'phone line installed as an improvement..

[tubbletian]

Yeah, there is currently no phone socket anywhere in the flat, though like I said, I'm positive other flats in the building (the landlord owns the building) DO have them. There is an entry/doorbell phone but I have no idea what the connections for these are.

I know it's my bad for not asking before I signed (but I did think the entry phone was a normal phone) and like I said, a phone line doesn't seem like an unreasonable ask IMO.

[theartfullodger]

Ask the other people what they did/ how they got a 'phone line??

[daveg]

The response "apologies, we do not supply pphone lines" makes me wonder if LL has misunderstood the request. Perhaps he thought you were expecting him to organise the phone line even though you were paying.

Have you got the LLs phone number, might be better in the first instance to give him a call and explain he wont have to do anything or pay a penny. You can always confirm it in writing later if he agrees.

[thesaint]

Can you type out what you asked here?

[bandontherun]

this is absurd. you are surely entitled to have a phone line installed; the landlord might not want to pay the installation charge and nor may you when you discover what BT have in mind! shame on this landlord for giving the trade a bad name.......

[mind the gap]

The only reasonable objection which occurs to me is if the installation involves putting unsightly new wires across the building. However so few phone lines need that these days that I think it's more likely to be that the LL just doesn't want the (perceived) hassle of having to have the phone cut off and chase Ts for unpaid bills if they don't organise cut-off and payment themselves when they leave.

I also agree that it sounds as though the LL has misunderstood the request.