Here is a question to the blog clinic from Karen (not her real name) who is a tenant
I have been searching the Internet for help with a big problem my family and I have been having with our landlord (it may seem trivial to some people but it has caused us a huge headache).
We moved into a house about a month ago and feel very lucky to have found because it is perfect, except for one thing, there is no TV aerial.
We called our landlady who told us that this is the tenant’s responsibility and as such she is unwilling to pay anything towards it.
I may be a bit naive but when I viewed the property, I wasn’t looking for a TV aerial as I thought this is would be standard. (It was conveniently not mentioned when we did the viewing).
Is there anything we can do or do we have to bite the bullet and do this ourselves? If we put an aerial up, the surely the landlord will benefit as it will there for use by future tenants.
I could not find anything on the Internet about this, which surprises me as I would have thought this is quite a common problem.
This is not something covered by any of the legislation, so that means it is something for the landlord and the tenant to sort out for themselves.
I don’t think actually it is a huge problem (although no doubt people will correct me if I am wrong) as most properties have TV aerials installed.
It is unfortunate that you did not spot this and ask them about it before you signed, but they may just have said then that you have to arrange for the TV reception yourself. Would you have taken the property anyway?
I think probably the best thing is just to bite on the bullet and get it done. Or maybe if there is broadband, you could watch telly via the Internet?
Incidentally, if you pay for the aerial it will technically be yours so you will be entitled to take it with you when you go – if you are able to get it down from the roof!
Note that whatever solution you come to, you will need a TV license.
TV aerials picture from Oatsy40
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We kind of have the same problem. Our landlords thoughtfully installed Sky, the full Monty but we dont have Sky so the aerial plugs dont go into the back of our TV. We got an indoor arial with a booster but the picture always goes wonky at a crucial bit of the film when the neighbours go to the toilet
Ben Reeve Lewis recently posted..John Murray joins Easy Law ‘face2face’ training team
As a landlord I think the landlord should pay for the TV aerial as it’s a benefit for the property. But saying that a lot of tenants now don’t use standard TV aerials and prefer cable, Sky or the internet so the TV aerial becomes redundant.
Tessa, I can not quote legislation, but I am sure that in commercial leases, if something is affixed to the property (like a grille or canopy) it becomes the landlords property.
a) is that right?
b) would it apply to the aerial on a residential property?
Ben,
This might be out of date advice but can’t you just buy a used skybox* and a lead for your TV?
Costs about 20 quid from the heart foundation shop or a tenner from your local druggie (make sure you get the remote).
Crystal clear freeview channels plus lovely digital radio- enhanced with an old amp and battered speakers.
*note skybox not freeviewbox.
To get back on topic, IMO the landlord has no obligation to provide an aerial unless stated. Although the reasonable thing to do would be to go halves.
I would say property is taken as seen and if a tv aerial was so important you should have asked before agreeing a contract. Suggest you offer to split the cost with landlord and enjoy your tv and leave the aerial for the landlord when you leave OR fit an aerial at your cost and remove it when you leave making sure you make good any damage e.g holes in wall