Vicky Cranthorne M.A.R.L.A, Office Manager for iConn Property Management writes:

When viewing a property to rent if a telephone socket is visible or advertised as available then the landlord has a responsibility to ensure it is in working order. This means that the physical lines and wiring into the property is complete.

It is a tenants choice as to whether they wish to have a working lineduring their tenancy. If you do require a telephone line then it is your responsibility to pay for any set up fees that may be applicable to have a working line as this is your account set up fee.

Most telephone line providers have a general rule that if a line is not used for longer than a month they will disconnect it from the exchange and allocate the space to someone else. This means that if the previous tenants choose not to have a line, or used a different provider to the one you would like to use, there is a high chance that the provider will charge you to reconnect the line to the exchange.

As far as I am aware there are three main providers of telephone lines:

BT – charge up to £130.00 set up fee

Virgin – charges vary and they often have offers on for free installation dependent on package.

Talktalk – again charges vary dependent on package.

This website may be useful to those looking to shop around: http://www.homephonechoices.co.uk/partner-lp_landline-reconnect/landline-installation.html

A great idea is that if you decide to have a landline or your line was still connected when you moved in then please call us to provide us with the landline number, that way we can provide any new tenants with the number and provider so they can ensure the line is not disconnected before they move in. If you are viewing properties in the near future remember to ask the current tenants or the letting agent to see if you can do the same.