How do you coordinate cable and internet?

[Valerie King]

What are best practices for having cable and Internet access set up at a rental property? Should it be up to the tenant, should it be up to you? 

I'm hoping to hack a duplex and I'm wondering how to go about this.

[Dana Dunford]

The tenant should be responsible for cable and internet. Your welcome letter (send out a couple of days before the move) should include the service providers in the area, however, you should make them put it in their name. The last thing that you want is for them to call you on Friday night at 6PM ... telling you the internet is out and you need to call the service provider. If it's in your name, you run risks like that (or worse, non-payment back to you).