Fibre in an apartment building: how to arrange it through the owners' association or cooperative
In an apartment building no single person decides about fibre. We look at how to proceed so the matter is agreed without needless disputes.
Why the owners must agree
A fibre cable leads into the building, often through common areas, the cellar, risers or the facade. Work on the common parts of a building belongs to the owners: the owners' association (SVJ) or, in cooperative buildings, the housing cooperative. Providers therefore require consent before installation, or conclude an agreement with the building on the use of spaces. According to general information on electronic communications, the owner's consent for internal wiring is requested in writing and the procedure for cases of refusal is more complicated and longer, so it pays to agree in advance. Always verify the exact conditions with the specific provider and in your building's statutes.
Step by step
- Gauge interest in the building. A few neighbours who want fibre are a good start. Both the provider and the committee appreciate knowing how many flats are interested.
- Check the address. Find out whether the building is already connected or whether a network is nearby. Send us the address and we check availability.
- Approach the committee or board. Bring a simple summary: what you want, how many flats are interested and what the provider needs.
- Get an offer or agreement from the provider. You want to know who installs the cable, where it will run, what happens to the wiring after the contract ends and who is responsible for any damage.
- Owners' decision. According to the statutes it is decided at the assembly or by written voting. What majority is needed is set by the statutes and the law, so verify it.
- Installation. The provider brings the cable into the building and installs internal wiring. Then those interested order the service.
What to ask the provider
- What is the cable route and which parts of the building are affected?
- How will the facade, risers or common areas be affected and who restores them to their original state?
- Is there a charge for using the building's space? What happens to the wiring if the provider ends its service?
- Can another provider's cable also run through the building, or only this one?
- Is work inside flats needed?
Good timing
The best moment is during a renovation of the building: insulation, replacing risers or repairing the cellar. Work done together saves time and trouble. If a renovation is planned in your building, mention it when negotiating with the provider.
What we do for you
Send the address and write that it is an apartment building. We check availability and arrange the next step with a local provider. The service contract is concluded by those interested with the provider, the agreement on using the building by the committee or cooperative. We are not a provider and we promise no specific price or timeline. General information on the technology is in Fibre internet: what it is.
Frequently asked questions
Can one neighbour bring internet into the building?
If common areas are affected, the owners of the building must agree. An individual can start the interest but needs the committee's support.
Who pays for internal wiring in an apartment building?
It depends on the agreement with the provider. Terms differ, so they must be clearly described before signing.
Related articles and pages
Send the address, we check the rest
Tell us where you live or do business. We check what is available there and arrange the connection with a local provider. The check is free and non-binding.