Madison, WI · Member since 2013 · 38 posts · 3 votes
Hi All,
Just received an angry email from tenant last night. Apparently the coax cable outlet in the master bedroom went out (how does that even happen??), and they are asking that we get an electrician to fix it. I plan on doing what's right and calling an electrician, but for my own knowledge is this something that HAS to be fixed? I don't really recall my lease mentioning the usability of electrical outlets like coax cable so I feel like this is a grey area.
That all being said, does anyone know of a good electrical person that isn't too expensive in the Madison, WI area that would be able to help out? I'm assuming we'll need to rewire a new coax line down into the basement. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!!
When a tenant takes a unit they accept it as is. What ever is there and working at beginning of occupancy a landlord is required to maintain in working condition during the tenancy.
Unfortunately you have a tenant that feels he is entitled. Bit of an a** for sending a angry email. I would take my sweet time repairing the trouble.
Trouble with cable is most likely at outlet. Go over yourself and take a look at it. It is not rocket science and does not require a electrician to repair.
Investor · Lake In The Hills, IL · Member since 2017 · 11 posts · 6 votes
8y
I would try calling a data company or the cable/internet provider out if it’s just a coax cable, an electrical company would be a lot more money. Typically a coax line is pretty cut and dry it’s a single coax cable that runs from the wall outlet back to where it connects to the cable company router, it could be as simple as replacing both connectors but you would need the tools to do that.
Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
8y
@Seth B. As a homeowner you are responsible for all house wiring. If your lease does not put cable connections as their responsibility then it is still your issue. It does not require an electrician and it is likely the connection. A crimper and tester are cheap and I like to have tools for future issue. Look on Amazon for these. If you take it apart you might see the problem. Since this is a low level signal and not a voltage that could shock anyone you could use a handyman if you don't want to go fix it yourself. Look on Craigslist in the services section. Get a estimate to go fix the issue best case worst case. If he can't fix it you shouldn't owe anything.
Hiring out small jobs is a good way to find some handymen you can depend on for future jobs.
Madison, WI · Member since 2013 · 38 posts · 3 votes
8y
Hi All! Thanks for all the responses I really appreciate it! One detail I left out that I should have put in is that the cable company was over at their place yesterday, and they recommended that we reach out to an electrician. I believe there is no signal coming from that connection anymore. Does that change anything?
Hi All! Thanks for all the responses I really appreciate it! One detail I left out that I should have put in is that the cable company was over at their place yesterday, and they recommended that we reach out to an electrician. I believe there is no signal coming from that connection anymore. Does that change anything?
You're saying that the cable company was out there, and after they arrived the outlet no longer works? Or it didn't work previous to them being there as well?
Hi All! Thanks for all the responses I really appreciate it! One detail I left out that I should have put in is that the cable company was over at their place yesterday, and they recommended that we reach out to an electrician. I believe there is no signal coming from that connection anymore. Does that change anything?
You're saying that the cable company was out there, and after they arrived the outlet no longer works? Or it didn't work previous to them being there as well?
The tenant sent me an email saying Charter was at their place because the internet stopped working. The guy discovered the coax outlet no longer worked, and told the tenant it would be best to get an electrician out here to get that fixed. Sorry for the confusion!
Investor · Akron, OH · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 4k+ votes
8y
My lease says that cable service, if desired, is the responsibility of the tenant. I also don't warranty appliances(refrigerators, ranges, dishwashers), ice makers, water dispensers, vent hoods, garbage disposals, garage door openers, ceiling fans, or door bells.
Now in practice I will repair or replace many of these items if they have not been abused but for repairs and replacements tenants get whatever item I deem appropriate.
Investor · Jasper GA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
8y
Get the cable guy's phone number, call him and ask him what the problem is. If you can't get him on the phone, talk with his supervisor and find out what they're talking about.
Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
8y
A cable that was working and now isnt is usually a disconnection somewhere in the line. Our cable company will trouble shoot this. You need to talk to the cable guy to see what he found. Make sure you are getting the right info from a competent source. If it is just the MB line follow the line or trouble shoot by running a new line outside the one in the wall to test.. If nothing in the house works it is usually something for the cable company.
Rockaway, NJ · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
8y
If you rented it out with working cable outlets, in my mind you need to make sure they keep working. However, I'm not sure why you need an electrician. From my understanding this is a cable company issue. This is also not an emergency issue, and tenant has no right to be mad or send angry emails. Your more important issue is going to be making sure that the tenant knows you are in charge. I would specifically make sure this takes at least two days. You do not want him to think he can bully you.
Involved In Real Estate · Greenwood, IN · Member since 2014 · 63 posts · 26 votes
8y
I would call the cable company and ask them what hey found when they were out. No electrician should be needed. We started new cable service a residence recently, and the cable company tested the line, it was dead so they followed it outside and found it was cut in the side yard by someone digging up a small tree. They just ran a brand new line from the box to the house and installed a new coax jack just to be sure it was all working. Not sure what the issue is here.
Real Estate Agent/Property Management · Houston, TX · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 827 votes
8y
Coax cable is not electrical. That would be the cable TV and/or Internet. THEY (the tenants) should call their cable company and have it fixed. Most likely there will be no charge.
I agree with those like @Fred Heller who say it is not an electrical issue. EXCEPT if maybe the outlet that the router/cable box is plugged into that is not working. In which case you have a bad outlet and an electrician should fix (Angry emails rarely provide enough data). If it is a bad coax cable then the provider repairs those and usually quick and free of charge (They want people to have service instead of calling a satellite or DSL provider). Your lease will dictate, but spending a few minutes to get some clarifying information may be warranted.
I've repaired a number of electrical outlets in my properties, and the coax cables have zero at all to do with the electric. Your cable guy is sadly misinformed.
But there is a greater issue at work here. How soon are you responding to angry emails from tenants? If you set the expectation that you will respond to their email right away, you are making a mistake. Set the expectation level to the level of the issue. This is crucial to your sanity, and ability to manage your property.
We are on a texting basis with all tenants we have. We level set based on the issue. One wanted a threshold covering fixed ASAP. I set the expectation that this is a low level issue, and we would resolve it at an appropriate time.
Tenants should be demanding stuff only in real emergencies. This is not an emergency. They should be taking care of this.
Real Estate Broker · Chicago, IL · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
8y
"The coax is part of the cable/internet provider and their systems, not the building's electrical system. If you want me to call out a licensed electrician I gladly will, but if they determine that the building's electrical system is not the cause of your issue you will be responsible for the cost of their visit, which could easily be more than $500. I would suggest calling your cable provider for them to send out another technician to resolve."
Real Estate Agent/Property Management · Houston, TX · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 827 votes
8y
Just to be clear, this is a coaxial cable wall plate. The cable is screwed into this connector, called a barrel connector, and it goes to the router or the DVR. In the old days, they didn't install these. They just drilled a hole and ran the cable into the room. But this is prettier.
The cable running into the house is connected to the other side of this plate. Depending on the number of outlets in the house, it will run through several splitters until it makes its way out to the main line connected to the telephone pole.
Coax cables are almost indestructible. The biggest threat is from squirrels or other rodents chewing through them in the attic.
The cable system has nothing to do with the electrical system. The two are completely independent. The good news is that cable companies will come out and trace problems and fix them, usually without charge.
If you don't provide cable services as part of the lease, then it's up to the tenant to call and ask for service. It is their account, after all.
BTW, it sounds like these tenants are whiny babies who are making a big deal out of something that isn't a big deal at all.
Rental Property Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2017 · 298 posts · 232 votes
8y
I ran some coax and wired a house with CAT6 Ethernet cable last year. Neither are electrical. Either you have a bad tech or a tenant trying to play you. They may have even caused the damage to the line. A local hardware store will have all the tools you need to check signal in the lines or hire a contractor, at their expense of course if it’s determined they caused the issue. Do NOT call an electrician!
Investor · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2015 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
8y
It came loose at the outlet or somewhere before it down the line.
Tell them you will come tighten it when you can and in the meantime plug their router in at a different location. Sounds like they already did if they are emailing you about it.
Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2015 · 257 posts · 230 votes
8y
To everyone saying that cable/coax isn't electrical; could you please call the Plymouth, Michigan building department and let the head electrical inspector know that? He came to the house I was flipping to do the rough electrical inspection and the first thing he asked was 'Is your coax ran?', I said no, and he said 'Then this inspection is over'. Didn't even walk through the rest of the house to look at everything else. Maybe not the same in your neck of the woods but as far as my municipality is concerned, they are one in the same, and it is low voltage.
I would guess that a signal booster or connection went bad and just needs to be replaced, I'm not sure why the cable technician didn't trouble shoot while he was there since that's what they always do in my area?
Rental Property Investor · St. Petersburg, FL · Member since 2017 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
8y
@Shaun C. did he tell you what code you were violating? In order to make a call like that, an inspector must be able to refer to a code that was violated.
@Shaun C. did he tell you what code you were violating? In order to make a call like that, an inspector must be able to refer to a code that was violated.
He didn't refer to anything being done wrong he just said that they don't do inspections unless coax is in. I asked him if he could continue to do the inspection, knowing I wouldn't pass but that he was going to come back anyways but apparently making it to happy hour was more important. He ended up being a lot cooler the next time he came and we passed but I was pretty dumbfounded that he wouldn't even continue the inspection and marking up anything else he thought was wrong just to save time later. He has a reputation around town of being a dick.
All those Electrical Inspectors in that part of town no matter the city are absurd. Its like the expect you to wire up everything like its the state of the art, new construction home. Not just maintain the 1970 hack-job some long gone builder did, and gave some inspector $200 and permit to hunt on his plot up in Cheboygan.
If the tenants signed a lease with the understanding that there would be availability to internet / cable already installed for them to utilize with a provider contract, then you should do all you can in a timely manner to ensure the electrical connections are in working order to allow access. No tenant in this day and age would rent a property that does not provide adequate cable or internet / outlets.
Unfortunately, almost all internet / Tv providers such as At&T/Xfinity etc since 2017 will no longer install/re-install / fix coaxial outlets, it is the responsibility of a AV technician or an electrician that really knows what they are doing. Put yourself in the tenants shoes, if you do not have access to internet or cable in your home, what would be your "priority level" to resolve?