New build flat - landlord won't let me have VM even though it's already in the area

[DavidFitzg]

Hi All,

I hope someone can help as I'm not sure the person on the phone at VM understood what I was asking for. 

I'm about to move into a new build flat, it's a block of 11 flats. The landlord of the proprerty that I'm buying has said that I can't have VM. I wasn't given a full explanation, other than I can only have Sky or BT. There's a water connection being put in next week and I believe that this is when the cabling for these companies is going in as well. This requires the main road to be dug up and will take 3-5 nights. 

VM is already in the area, so I would assume that the installation shouldn't be much of an issue.

I some how need to convince the landlord that the install won't be a big deal, like the water and BT/Sky. 

The only thing I can think of that might be an issue is the internal telecoms structure that might be in place.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Many thanks,

Dave

[jbrennand]

If its a new build flat, was it "serviced" by VM in the build phase. Builders usually liase with VM or OpenReach to pre-install ducting, internal ducts cables, connectors etc.

If that wasnt done then maybe thats what they mean by you cant have VM.

Check whats already in there and planned for the ducts going in.

Even if VM is in the "area" - if there is no street cabinet nearby with sufficient capacity to service the flats - then it wont happen

Or they may have decided that they dont want VM digging up the garden/drive/whatever to lay cables and fix the external omnibox to the wall and then drill through the walls for the cable connections - and have cables pinned to the external walls.

[goslow]

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@DavidFitzg wrote:

Hi All,

I hope someone can help as I'm not sure the person on the phone at VM understood what I was asking for. 

<snip>

Dave

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If the landlord has said no to your request, it is the landlord that you need to approach first of all to find out the specific reason(s) why and what the objections are. You can then find the necessary information (if possible) to answer the landlord's objections.

If the landlord has involved Openreach in the development (to the extent of digging up the main road over 3 to 5 nights) then s/he may perhaps have some kind of exclusivity agreement in place for particular services to be provided by Openreach and its associated suppliers.

Whether or not it is 'much of an issue' to get VM installed may depend on a whole bunch of things including distance to the nearest cabinet, what underground infrastructure there is near to the new build site, what possibilities there are to bring a cable across the new build site etc. To give you an idea of what VM does when it installs throughout a new build site, have a look at the VM 'New Build Handbook' (BT will be going to similar lengths/expense)

https://www.virginmedia.com/content/dam/virginmedia/dotcom/images/shop/downloads/New-Build-Handbook-...

You need to get more info from the landlord about what the objection is. If it is still a flat no, then you won't be getting VM installed.

[DavidFitzg]

Thank you for the quick response. 

I'm going to get my solicitor to ask why he's saying no.

Cheers

Dave

[nodrogd]

Virgin will only use their own lines. They do not share with BT.

I also depends how old the cable build is in the area. If it is HFC (which 95% of VM infrastructure is) it would require a seperate cabinet outside (providing capacity was built in to accomodate it), plus coax cabling to VM standards going to each flat internally. Some of the costs for this would likely fall on the landlord. I think this is probably a major factor. A lot of councils also do not allow visible external wiring on communal buildings now, so wiring externally would also be an issue.

[Roger_Gooner]

It's entirely possible that the landlord has organised a communal Sky dish with cabling to a socket in each flat. This isn't so terrible but check that it will deliver Sky Q.

[DavidFitzg]

Thanks John.

[DavidFitzg]

Thanks Roger

[jpeg1]

It's quite understandable that if the landlord has arranged for Openreach connections, he doesn't want another supplier drilling more holes and running another set of wires in his new building. 

Not sure where the Sky dish comes into this as it won't provide broadband. 

[nodrogd]

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@jpeg1 wrote:

Not sure where the Sky dish comes into this as it won't provide broadband. 

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Also Sky/Terrestrial coax installs tend to be “top down” wired from the roof. VM requires it “bottom up” to provide services on a combined system.