Phone jack doesn't work - My responsibility?

[Jenna Stonecipher]

My tenant just texted me that she recently purchased a router for her internet. When she plugged it in, she discovered that the phone jack doesn't work. I didn't think to have the phone jacks tested when I bought the place... I don't think I have ever in my adult life used one.

Is getting the jack fixed my responsibility as the landlord or the internet company's responsibility as the provider?

I should also note that she lives underneath me in my triplex and is a relatively new tenant. It's a B neighborhood, and I'm nervous about having tenant-related issues so close to home. Thoughts?

[Matt Devincenzo]

I had this in the home I rent. Basically the phone provider will tell you who is responsible. In my case the line was damaged prior to coming into the house and was their responsibility. If it had been cut or damaged inside it would not have been the provider's responsibility.

Then you move to landlord or tenant responsibility if it is damaged inside. If the damage was something like just having been older or it was damaged due to lightning strike, that is maintenance and is the landlord's responsibility. If it is something like the tenant damaged the jack while moving furniture in, then that is the tenant's responsibility.

Don't be nervous about possible tenant issues. Usually those are mitigated by your initial screening being done well. And then by ensuring that the tenant understands you are responsible for maintenance, damage directly due to tenant actions will be fixed at their expense not yours.