14th October 2017
From time to time I am asked about the importance of a good internet connection, which may seem obvious but can be easily over looked.
In a world where going online has become an everyday occurrence for the majority of the population, expectations for internet and Wi-Fi access, as well as broadband speed, in rented homes have increased rapidly in recent years. In the past, internet access may not have been near the top of very many tenants’ priority lists. Now, however, it seems to have become one of the more important things tenants consider before moving into a rental property. Some landlords provide internet in their properties, while others leave it for the tenants to sort out. Either way, it’s becoming increasingly vital that tenants are given the best opportunity possible to have access to reliable, fast broadband, as well as being up and running in next to no time when moving in. Many private tenants are students – who require broadband or Wi-Fi access to complete their course work – while more people are now working from home, a scenario which again requires fast and reliable access to the internet.
How can you, the landlord, help? There are several views for and against you providing broadband access for tenants, but what’s most important is that whether you choose to provide it or not, you make sure tenants have the best possible chance of getting access to a good internet service quickly when they move in to your property. If you’re looking to let to younger tenants, and the property you purchase is in an area with poor connectivity and signal, you’ll certainly find it harder to occupy. It’s wise to check the speed of your connection as well as what type of broadband is available in your area. If the signal in parts of your property is poor this could be off-putting to tenants, particularly in a House in Multiple Occupation. There are a range of relatively inexpensive signal boosters that you can install which could help to generate an even coverage in the more far-flung parts of the property. If you choose to provide internet access you should make sure you get the best package possible and that everything is set up when tenants move in. Meanwhile, those landlords that don’t pre-provide internet access must ensure that when tenants do sort out their broadband provision, everything is in place for a smooth and hassle-free process.
We are here to help and assist you with any questions that you may have, so, please do get in touch.
Richard Bond
Lettings Manager
