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Installing new cable service in apartment block
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Old 29-07-2014, 12:35   #1
Brunel
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Installing new cable service in apartment block

I live in a block of 36 flats in a Virgin Cable area. There is a large street cabinet directly outside the premises.

This cabinet has been recently upgraded by Virgin Media. (VM)

(VM) are interested in installing a cable service.

There are complications in obtaining wayleave permissions.

1. The buildings are leasehold, the landlords agent is SIMARC, who are notorious for asking for exorbitant fees.

2. The grounds and gardens are owned by another owner, as yet unknown.

VM have approached SIMARC and as expected have asked for a ridiculous amount which VM will not entertain.

The reason for pursuing this is that the flats all suffer poor ADSL, due to a long telephone line.... and no chance of fibre due to exchange only lines.

I am seeking ideas on how to progress this, if possible.

Thanks.
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Old 08-08-2014, 22:55   #2
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Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block

Sounds like all 36 of you need to get together and gang up on the landlord basically! You'll get nowhere with SIMARC as they are basically just acting on their clients (the landlord's) interests. Which is to get as much dosh out of you all for as little cost as possible. If you don't know who your landlord is, then you will need to write to SIMARC.

If you all sign a letter, be polite but firm, stating that your broadband services are not up to scratch, this should send a chill down the landlord's spine.... To risk losing 36 lots of rent is a big deal and besides if they had to get new tenants, the first thing anyone new would ask for is fast broadband. If they don't provide it, they risk devaluing their property which can be as much as 20% these days.

It's for the landlord to find out and sort out about the wayleaves, who owns what land etc. But you can check yourself by going to the land registry website.
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Old 08-08-2014, 23:56   #3
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Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block

Thanks, unfortunately of the 36 flats, only approx. 11 flats have shown a keen interest.

As for the remainder, there is an abundant amount of apathy.
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Old 09-08-2014, 00:58   #4
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Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block

You probably aren't going to get very far if the current managing agents / freeholder see this as a cash cow. Add to that another party having ownership rights and you are into a world of pain. If there are a minoroity of flat owners interested in the upgrade it won't be worth the effort.

As leaseholders you may have rights to grab control of your block. You can go for self management, but that won't resolve land ownership and the freeholder / third party rights to demand fees for wayleaves. You could club together to buy the freehold, but that takes a lot of time and money. All need a minimum number of participants. see lease-advice.org.

Fundamentally you are screwed.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Horizon View Post
If you all sign a letter, be polite but firm, stating that your broadband services are not up to scratch, this should send a chill down the landlord's spine.... To risk losing 36 lots of rent is a big deal and besides if they had to get new tenants, the first thing anyone new would ask for is fast broadband. If they don't provide it, they risk devaluing their property which can be as much as 20% these days.
I think you are confusing shorter term 6-12 months lettings, and long leasehold property owner interests. The Freeholder in a vast majority of cases already had their money on long leasehold (unless those leases were granted many years ago perhaps only on 99 year terms so are now shortening and perhaps due for extension). So the Freeholder, for whom the agents no doubt act, has little interest in broadband and the ground rent he receives (possibly only a few hundred from all flats combined) is due regardless.
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Old 09-08-2014, 01:14   #5
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Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block

Even if you can get several signatures, that's still better than one. Would a landlord risk losing several lots of rent in one go, I don't think so. Try it, they can't terminate your lease just because you have asked for a cable to be connected. Phrase the letter along the lines of "will add value to your property, ensure continued tenancy of property etc." Make it clear that it's in their own interests to allow the connection and charging fees for the wayleave is not in their interests.

---------- Post added at 00:14 ---------- Previous post was at 00:05 ----------

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob View Post
I think you are confusing shorter term 6-12 months lettings, and long leasehold property owner interests. The Freeholder in a vast majority of cases already had their money on long leasehold (unless those leases were granted many years ago perhaps only on 99 year terms so are now shortening and perhaps due for extension). So the Freeholder, for whom the agents no doubt act, has little interest in broadband and the ground rent he receives (possibly only a few hundred from all flats combined) is due regardless.
Probably am getting confused but I am not entirely sure either way. He's talking about leasehold properties who have a landlord and an agent, yet the land/gardens is owned by someone else. How can that be?
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Old 09-08-2014, 01:15   #6
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Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block

Have sent suitable e-mail, as have other people, to SIMARC.

As expected completely ignored.

Not even the decency to reply.

SIMARC have a large "trackrecord" of this type of behaviour.
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Old 09-08-2014, 01:27   #7
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Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block

If polite emails/letters don't work, try less polite methods....be a nuisance. If they're bombarded by calls from you and the other people interested day after day, you might just grind them into submission.

Don't give up. I'm a polite person, but I find I only get results when the gloves come off.
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Old 09-08-2014, 08:28   #8
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Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block

@ Horizon. I agree with you, that is what I am trying to organise.
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Old 12-10-2017, 22:38   #9
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Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block

At last, a positive update. One of our residents went ahead and approached Virgin Media direct.

Short story, they agreed to a SOLO install, which is now up and running.

After much wailing and gnashing of teeth, our "COMMITTEE" were forced into a vote by the residents, which was unanimous.

SIMARC our freeholder was not interested, said go ahead, all wayleaves have been satisfied, we have been surveyed and an install plan has been put forward by V.M.

All we now need is "THE COMMITTEE" to sign it off and hopefully VM will start the install A.S.A.P.
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Old 03-11-2017, 10:37   #10
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Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block

A further update.

“We have received back all the paperwork and xxxx, has submitted the plans to
finance and is awaiting a reply.

Once xxxx gets confirmations of this, he will contact your committee and make
arrangements for the infrastructure to be completed”…
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Old 22-11-2017, 13:33   #11
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Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block

Latest: xxxx.xxx is arranging this and a number of other flat complexes with a contractor and expects to start shortly – he will advise your man there and agree a start date with him


All occupiers will be notified in writing once agreed on the back of this.
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Old 03-12-2017, 00:45   #12
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Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block

UPDATE:

BRINGING SUPERFAST SERVICES TO YOUR HOME


Dear Residents,

Virgin Media are now working to provide superfast fibre optic broadband and TV services to your building.

The build plans have been completed by a member of the Virgin Media planning team and approved by the freeholder/management agent. We are looking to progress the ground works and installation of the cabling in the very near future. All works will be undertaken with minimum disruption to you.

Estimated start date: 13th December 2017

The cabling work may be completed internally within the communal areas or externally. We apologise in advance for any disruption in which it may cause.

**There may also be a period of necessary drilling works that needs to be undertaken during the installation programme, this will be completed within service hours as quickly as possible, keeping noise and disruption to a minimum. We apologise for the intermittent noise levels and limited disturbance this may cause residents**

We hope you are looking forward to having the option of taking Virgin Media services. We will write to you once the installation is complete with further details.

Kind Regards

Virgin Media
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Old 15-12-2017, 00:38   #13
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Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block

Several lengths of green ducting and some barriers have been delivered today.

Now residing on our front lawn.

I assume that the street works for this ducting will commence tomorrow, 2 days late.
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Old 16-12-2017, 12:31   #14
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Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block

An epic failure, Virgin vans, sub contractors all on site, all walking about talking on mobile 'phones.

Then ......NOTHING, all disappear.

This morning even the green ducting has been removed.

There is hope, the street works are still listed on ROADWORKS, permission granted till 18 DEC.
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Old 07-01-2018, 13:21   #15
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Re: Installing new cable service in apartment block

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brunel View Post
An epic failure, Virgin vans, sub contractors all on site, all walking about talking on mobile 'phones.

Then ......NOTHING, all disappear.

This morning even the green ducting has been removed.

There is hope, the street works are still listed on ROADWORKS, permission granted till 18 DEC.
Did you get your connection?
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