Are TV Aerials a Landlord’s Responsibility?

This is a question that gets asked by rental tenants on a very regular basis, and the simple answer is that in most cases landlords are NOT obligated to to provide, maintain or repair a TV aerial.

Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 goes so far as to exclude certain things from the implied obligation to repair:

11 (1) In a lease to which this section applies (as to which, see sections 13 and 14) there is implied a covenant by the lessor—

(a) to keep in repair the structure and exterior of the dwelling-house (including drains, gutters and external pipes),

(b) to keep in repair and proper working order the installations in the dwelling-house for the supply of water, gas and electricity and for sanitation (including basins, sinks, baths and sanitary conveniences, but not other fixtures, fittings and appliances for making use of the supply of water, gas or electricity), and

(c) to keep in repair and proper working order the installations in the dwelling-house for space heating and heating water.

In the absence of an obligation (whether express or implied by statute) there is no obligation on either landlord or tenant to repair anything, apart from the repairs which come under the tenant’s obligation to use the property in a tenant like manner.

However, some landlord include TV aerials or TV points in their letting agreement, which could mean if the TV aerial that was there when you moved in is now broken, then the landlord may be responsible for solving the problem.

What we advise here at TV Aerials, is to phone or message your landlord if you have a problem with your TV aerial and see what they advise, in some cases the landlord will want to keep the tenant happy, and pay for the new aerial or repair themselves, or will at least put some money towards it.

I hope this post has helped you, and if you need a new aerial installing or repairing, don’t hesitate to give us a call or fill out the contact form to the left and we will give you a free quote.