At the end of March 2011, the analogue TV signal in Northamptonshire is being turned off, as the service switches to digital. This could put some tenants in a position where they can't get their weekly dose of 'Strictly'. At that point, it's a fair assumption that they'll make a lot of noise!
We're not expecting this to be too much of an problem. As we understand it, the ability to receive the new digital signal depends mainly on the TV set you're watching - in the majority of cases this will belong to the tenant and as such it their issue. In a minority of cases though, there may be issues with having an old TV aerial in the property which tenants will doubtless argue is the landlord's problem.
A landlord then has to decide how to react. Legally, you're under no obligation to provide TV reception to a tenant, but generally this is something it's accepted a landlord does. By not doing this you risk annoying the tenant and potentially encouraging them to leave. You're also technically in breach of your terms with Belvoir, as we ask all our landlords to provide free-to-air TV reception in all properties.
You should probably be wary if:
- Your property is furnished. You supply a TV, and the TV isn't capable of receiving a digital signal.
- Your property is older and hasn't had an updated TV Aerial in the last 10 years.
- Your tenant has SKY / Cable. This could mean there is a problem but you won't realise until this tenant has gone and a new one tries to connect using the terrestrial signal.
This is the advice we have received from local aerial installers. We'll be working with them to upgrade known properties leading up to the switch-over date, but already they are pretty overrun with demand! As such we could be in for a busy few weeks!
Richard.
