Asked in Contracts, Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for Virginia

Q: What options do tenants have if landlord disconnect wifi, additionally wifi, cable and the like were included in lease

VA residential lease

2 Lawyer Answers
F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
Answered
  • Landlord Tenant Lawyer
  • Alexandria, VA
  • Licensed in Virginia

A: In Virginia, if the lease provides that the landlord shall provide wifi, cable and the like yet disconnects those services, the tenant can bring a claim against the landlord for breach of the lease contract.

1 user found this answer helpful

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
Answered
  • Potomac, MD
  • Licensed in Virginia

A: You should chat with a lawyer first to ensure you are within the letter of the lease, but, if WiFi is included in the lease, you are very likely within your rights to purchase a replacement of the contracted services and deduct the cost, including installation and services, from the rent. Giving notice to the landlord is essential in Virginia, because there is a limited right to self-help, and you don't want to experience that, so a demand letter from a lawyer is probably worthwhile, but if the lease contains a mutual attorneys fees clause, you might be able to deduct that cost from the rent. When you buy the new service, make sure it terminates when your lease terminates, and that may require a more expensive, month-to-month contract. Pay that up front, because you can bet that the landlord is going to make a play for your security deposit, and that fight might not be worthwhile for you, so plan not to be stuck with a utility contract like Internet at the end of the lease.

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