Contacting Neighbour’s Landlord

Tenant Discussion
1

Hi,
I am trying to get a broadband installed; due to the location of the cable pole, I will have to have the cable going around my neighboring building (external). I need permission from the next door landlord for that

I contacted the letting agent of the building and they contacted the landlord, but the landlord hasn’t replied for weeks. What can I do? It’s been 3 weeks with no internet at home, just because the landlord isn’t giving an answer that would take them 5 mins max to give.

Edit: forgot to mention, I also found the name of the landlord via LL but couldn’t find their contacts from googling etc.

2

Search for the property owners details on the Land Registry & write to them directly or knock on their door. The service costs about £4.

Make sure when you search for the Land Registry website you are getting the .gov one.

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3

Thanks so much for your reply!
I should have mentioned earlier, I found the landlord’s name using LL, but couldn’t find any of their contacts from googling the name. Any ideas on how I can find their details with their name?

I also asked the letting agent to pass on their details and they haven’t responded yet.

4

Find a different provider. BT use the old telephone cables and I guess you refer to them but no other providers do. Then you don’t have to bother the owner of the property. You come knocking on my door because you insist on using BT then I would definitely refuse.

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5

Ah yes, that was my initial thought but I can’t just switch providers because I already have a contract with this one. From the looks of it though, I’ll still try to negotiate changing providers somehow, thanks a lot!

It’s quite a tricky situation since technically no one is at fault, not like I would blame the landlord if they refused (wish they respond though!)

6

May be a bit weird and possibly a totally outrageous suggestion but have you tried (wait for it…) speaking to the tenant of the property they may have some sort of contact details for the LandLord

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7

If they are going through a letting agent i cant see the tenants having the LL number. Thats why he/she has a letting agent.

8

Unless you ask ya wont know its only a conversation

9

Oh wow? Talking?! What is that? An app perhaps??? A poor gen z like me never heard of that!!

Sarcasm aside, being able to talk to the tenants would make my life easier indeed, but no answer every time I ring their bell and even had my lovely handwritten note ignored (that hurt) :disappointed:. I also can’t sit the whole day and wait to see someone leaving/entering the house because I have a job.

I’ve been discussing with the broadband provider to see what else can be done which might be the best option at the moment, but it was good to hear different options from everyone! Thanks!

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10

Why would your provider need to attach cables around your neighbours building?

Do you not have a footpath or driveway access to your property, or do you have to go through your neighbours house…! Sarcasm intended.

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11

Well I mean I do have direct walking access to my flat but the cable needs to be connected to the box pole. So the placement of the cable depends on where the pole is, not the access points to the building.

12

Why can the cable not follow your path?

Is the supply point on the public highway or within the private house of your neighbour?

If it’s within your neighbours property, the supplier must have a wayleave to cross their property.

13

It’s BT, they use the old telephone poles and cables for the final connection into the house. If the cable from the pole to the house is missing they re-attach it, so if it’s a semi or terrace it will be reattached to that to reach the final destination

14

Hmm, I would first check if there is someway to cancel your contract - the distance selling regulations may allow you to do so within a certain time period, even if the provider is reluctant. Since there is a time limit on that, it’s the most urgent thing to figure out.But after all - if they can’t actually provide the service, the contract should be void.

Since it’s flats, it’s likely that you need to contact the freeholder, who may not actually be the landlord of your neighbour.

If you are in the same building, there will be some legal obligation to cooperate, but it depends on the structure of the legal relationships. If this is a totally separate building that happens to be in the way, they may well have no obligation to help. You might then be limited to using a different provider, eg satellite broadband etc.

15

Okay, firstly, it’s not your role to gain access and permission, it’s the provider. You have no contract if they cannot provide service as you describe. Put it back to them

Even if you did get permission, get it in writing.

Goood luck

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16

Surely the job from BT would have been surveyed first, before asking you to sign a contract with them. If they cannot supply you a service your contract should be null and void.

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17

I would say that this is an issue for Openreach to progress. You are not proposing fixing your cable to the neighboring building. Openreach are proposing fixing their cable to the neighbouring building. They need to gain permission not you. it is their line upto the master socket in your property,

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