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Phone/internet connections in rental properties

A tenant is responsible for their phone/internet connection charges. (For responsibility of NBN see NBN – installation, boxes and batteries ).

When a property cannot be connected to a phone line

  • If a property is rented out with a visible phone connection and it is not made clear before the lease is signed that the phone connection does not work, the owner will be liable for fixing the phone connection. The tenant should ask the owner to repair the connection - see Repairs
  • If it is clear before the lease is signed that the property does not have a working phone connection, the owner is not responsible for making a phone connection available to the tenant. If the tenant wants a phone connection, they will have to ask the owner’s permission and discuss costs. The owner might be prepared to help with costs if the property has a phone connection after the tenant leaves.
Last updated: 25 Jul 2022

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