Budgies, but not broadband?

The Renters’ Rights Bill currently before parliament, will empower tenants with the right to request pets, but not a better broadband connection.

No one wants to see people digitally excluded based on their landlord’s attitude, which is why the government must amend the Renters’ Rights Bill.

Openreach is currently unable to reach hundreds of thousands of flats across the UK. These homes are in so-called Multi-Dwelling Units (flats or sub-divided houses). This is because we are unable to secure the permissions required from landlords.

Currently, we use our existing access rights – or wayleaves – to access communal areas in flats to repair the copper network, but we cannot use those same rights to upgrade tenants to the latest technology.

That is why Baroness Janke’s amendment to this Bill is necessary, and why we are asking parliamentarians to back it.  

It seeks to democratically place the power into tenants’ hands to request a service. Should their landlord accept this request, they are then free to secure a service from any provider.