Openreach, the wholly-owned subsidiary of BT, is calling for the Renters Rights Bill to be amended to allow it, or other providers, to automatically upgrade rental properties’ broadband capacity.

Currently, in older residential properties, it must by law secure the permission of freeholders to upgrade the existing copper broadband network to ultrafast. However, the provider claims some landlords and/or freeholders are difficult to identify and contact, or can be obstructive.

In a written submission to the government Openreach says: “Our 2024 data reveals that over 1,040,000 flats across the UK are at risk of missing out on faster, more reliable broadband due to access barriers. We believe over 780,000 of these are at risk of no coverage from us or any other provider. Our request is for automatic upgrade rights where the market is unable to deliver (ultimately some subset of the 780K). 

“These homes, located in Multi-Dwelling Units (flats or sub-divided houses), face a potential ‘digital divide’ unless automatic upgrade rights are established. Currently, we can use existing access rights to maintain the copper network in these buildings but not to upgrade to Full Fibre technology. To address this issue, we are advocating for legislative amendments to allow the use of these access rights for Full Fibre upgrades, particularly for those living in blocks contacting 10 units or less. This change would foster economic growth and ensure that tenants are not left behind, even if landlords are difficult to contact. 

“The Renters’ Rights Bill will give a tenant the right to request a pet, “such consent is not to be unreasonably refused by the landlord”, yet not the right to request Full Fibre broadband. The installation of Full Fibre is, in the main, unobtrusive and wherever possible simply replaces the copper cable into premises. Research shows that properties with gigabit connectivity carry a price premium over those without, so it should be positive for the building owner and the tenant.”

Openreach has suggested a possible amendment to the Bill and sent it to the House of Lords committee currently looking at provisions in the proposed legislation.