Broadband for Renters and Students
Short contracts, no-drill options, and what to check before signing up.
The Renter’s Dilemma
If you rent your home, broadband decisions come with extra baggage. You might move in 12 months. Your landlord might refuse drilling. And the last tenant might have left behind a contract you can’t use. None of this means you have to settle for slow internet.
Landlord Permission
CityFibre installation requires a small hole drilled through an external wall. You need your landlord’s written permission for this. Most landlords agree readily, because Full Fibre increases the property’s desirability and value. CityFibre provides a standard “Wayleave” form, but in practice, a simple email or text message confirming approval is usually accepted by the installer.
If your landlord refuses, check whether a previous tenant already had fibre installed. If the ONT (the small white modem box) is already on the wall, you just need a new ISP contract. No drilling required.
Short Contracts and Rolling Monthly
The biggest risk for renters is being locked into a 24-month contract when your tenancy might end in 12. Early termination fees can run into hundreds of pounds. Here is what to look for:
- Rolling Monthly (30-day notice): The safest option for renters. You pay a small premium (typically £3-£5 more per month) and sometimes a setup fee, but you can cancel anytime with 30 days’ notice. Perfect if your tenancy is uncertain.
- 12-Month Contracts: A good middle ground. Many CityFibre ISPs offer 12-month terms that align neatly with standard tenancy agreements.
- Fixed-Price Contracts: Regardless of length, look for ISPs that guarantee no mid-contract price rises. The last thing a renter needs is an unexpected bill increase on top of a rent increase.
Student Houses and HMOs
If you live in a shared house (House in Multiple Occupation), one person typically signs the broadband contract. A few things to consider:
- Speed: With 4-6 people all streaming, gaming, and video-calling, you want at least 500Mbps. A Gigabit CityFibre connection comfortably handles a busy student house.
- Who Pays? Agree upfront how the bill is split. Some ISPs offer multi-payer options, but most don’t. A shared bank account or bill-splitting app keeps things simple.
- The Leaver Problem: If the person who signed the contract moves out mid-year, the contract stays with them. Make sure the group has a plan for transferring or cancelling the service.
Already Have Fibre? Just Switch Provider
If you are moving into a property that already has a CityFibre line, switching to a new ISP is straightforward. The physical cable stays in place. You simply sign up with a CityFibre provider, and they activate the existing line. No engineer visit needed in most cases, and you can be online within days. Our switching guide walks you through the process step by step.