re: Maintaining a landline in an investment property
Although most tenants have pretty much gone wireless, there are tenants who require a landline.
A lot of older homes still have the phone jacks and wiring for a landline, however, if they do need to be maintained.
Can you a hire a specialist to maintain and repair a landline or do you need Verizon?
Quote from @Freeman Schultz:
If the Tenant wants a landline, they can pay for it. That includes installation and maintenance.
Quote from @Nathan Gesner:
Quote from @Freeman Schultz:
If the Tenant wants a landline, they can pay for it. That includes installation and maintenance.
Thank you for your response.
I do agree with that those costs should be passed down to the tenant.
However, if you have a vacant unit and decide to maintain a landline, then it might be best for the landlord to pay for it and then pass the cost to the tenant through rent.
My question is that if you do not want to use Verizon, who would you hire?
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You would need to find out who provides wired phone service in your local area. There seems to be several companies providing service in NY. Check their plans and confirm they provide service to your neighborhood.
As far as "maintenance" or repairs, there are plenty of telephone wiring specialists in urban areas to select from, but not sure what you would need them for. Any competent handyman or electrician should be able to address any physical issues on your side of the interface. Unless you cut a line inside your home there is nothing to really go wrong. Even then, the lines are color coded, and typically only two conductors are used per line, the red and green. A second line will use the yellow and black. There are plenty of online how-to's, and it is often easiest to just run a new line from the phone company interface (normally on the outside of your home) to wherever you need a new extension.
Quote from @Freeman Schultz:
Why maintain a landline? Less than 30% of Americans still use a landline and most of those are elderly homeowners, not renters. I manage 400 rentals and can't remember the last time I saw one of my renters using a landline. If 80% of your renters did not have children, would you still install a playground on your property?
Quote from @Freeman Schultz:
Although most tenants have pretty much gone wireless, there are tenants who require a landline.
A lot of older homes still have the phone jacks and wiring for a landline, however, if they do need to be maintained.
Can you a hire a specialist to maintain and repair a landline or do you need Verizon?
Unless it is required by the city/county, why bother to do this? For example, in some place, you are required to have landline for STRs, so I get it there. Unless the tenants in your market are willing to pay a higher rent for a landline, I wouldn't even consider it.
Thank you everyone for your responses.
I do agree that landlines are being phased out. However, there are people out there who still keep them. If a tenant requires one, then they should pay a premium.
IMO the tenant would pay for this. They want it, they can foot the bill. Good luck & happy investing!
