nakedmolerat: For Sky - why dont you get one installed now?

That's probably getting a bit too pricey as we wouldn't use Sky at all ourselves. I think I'll just run the spool of RG6 cable to the most likely location for a dish install, based on an online satellite alignment calculator. 

I agree with everyone who is saying to label EVERYTHING and pre-patch as much as possible. The number of installs I've seen where they haven't labelled the patch panel or outlets is infuriating.

I wouldn't even consider getting Sky installed now just to preempt that a tenant may want it in future.

Rather than using RJ45-RJ11 or RJ45-BT adapters, why not just leave a few 2m RJ45-RJ11 cables in a box labeled "phone cables"? That way you don't need adapters at all.

Paul1977:

 

I agree with everyone who is saying to label EVERYTHING and pre-patch as much as possible. The number of installs I've seen where they haven't labelled the patch panel or outlets is infuriating.

 

I wouldn't even consider getting Sky installed now just to preempt that a tenant may want it in future.

 

Rather than using RJ45-RJ11 or RJ45-BT adapters, why not just leave a few 2m RJ45-RJ11 cables in a box labeled "phone cables"? That way you don't need adapters at all.

 

I was more thinking of the odd phone that has a BT cable hardwired, rather than the more common RJ11 socket on the back of the phone. I see that you can get RJ45-BT adapters for $5 at Global PC etc so I may just get one to cover that base.

I guess the risk that I'm trying to mitigate is of a non-techie tenant thinking I'm obstructing their use the phone line, or misinterpreting it to mean that they can't have a phone because there isn't a 'phone' outlet. Crazy yes, but entirely plausible given the number of luddites in our country. And as I won't be in the same city, I can't just pop over to do it for them.

nickb800:

 

I was more thinking of the odd phone that has a BT cable hardwired, rather than the more common RJ11 socket on the back of the phone. I see that you can get RJ45-BT adapters for $5 at Global PC etc so I may just get one to cover that base.

 

I guess the risk that I'm trying to mitigate is of a non-techie tenant thinking I'm obstructing their use the phone line, or misinterpreting it to mean that they can't have a phone because there isn't a 'phone' outlet. Crazy yes, but entirely plausible given the number of luddites in our country. And as I won't be in the same city, I can't just pop over to do it for them.

 

Serious question: do these still exist? I don't think I've seen one of these since back in the old pulse-dialling days.

If going the adapter route I would also consider a couple of RJ45-RJ11, just so you don't get them sticking an RJ11 plug into an RJ45 socket (which as you know will work, but is more prone to damaging the socket).

When you let the house, ask them where they want the phone(s) to be plugged in - then you can patch it and have the adaptors in place. If they are at all tech savy they can easily move them if they change their mind, if they are not they will more than likely just leave the phone there thinking it can't be moved rather than attempt to change it themselves.

In my opinion most people who don't have at least a basic understanding about structured cabling are intimidated by a switch and patch panel with heaps if cables and would be too afraid to touch it anyway. Although there is the odd person who will just randomly plug and unplug cables until something works!

Paul1977:

 

nickb800:

 

I was more thinking of the odd phone that has a BT cable hardwired, rather than the more common RJ11 socket on the back of the phone. I see that you can get RJ45-BT adapters for $5 at Global PC etc so I may just get one to cover that base.

 

I guess the risk that I'm trying to mitigate is of a non-techie tenant thinking I'm obstructing their use the phone line, or misinterpreting it to mean that they can't have a phone because there isn't a 'phone' outlet. Crazy yes, but entirely plausible given the number of luddites in our country. And as I won't be in the same city, I can't just pop over to do it for them.

 

 

Serious question: do these still exist? I don't think I've seen one of these since back in the old pulse-dialling days.

 

If going the adapter route I would also consider a couple of RJ45-RJ11, just so you don't get them sticking an RJ11 plug into an RJ45 socket (which as you know will work, but is more prone to damaging the socket).

 

When you let the house, ask them where they want the phone(s) to be plugged in - then you can patch it and have the adaptors in place. If they are at all tech savy they can easily move them if they change their mind, if they are not they will more than likely just leave the phone there thinking it can't be moved rather than attempt to change it themselves.

 

In my opinion most people who don't have at least a basic understanding about structured cabling are intimidated by a switch and patch panel with heaps if cables and would be too afraid to touch it anyway. Although there is the odd person who will just randomly plug and unplug cables until something works!

 

I've seen it a bit with corded phones, which many people still have for emergencies. Or a variant is that there is a RJ45-RJ11 cable, but it runs through the base of the phone, has a curly section, then plugs into the bottom of the handset - so your standard RJ45-RJ11 isn't a great substitute.

Yeah I'm not so worried about people messing around with the patching, more that they are grumpy and silent because they believe they can't have a phone or that there is no phone line. I probably won't be in town at the start of the tenancy so can't customise the patching for them. So will provide some generic patching for them to common points (e.g phone in kitchen/dining room) with RJ45-BT adapters

nickb800:

 

I've seen it a bit with corded phones, which many people still have for emergencies. Or a variant is that there is a RJ45-RJ11 cable, but it runs through the base of the phone, has a curly section, then plugs into the bottom of the handset - so your standard RJ45-RJ11 isn't a great substitute.

 

Yeah I'm not so worried about people messing around with the patching, more that they are grumpy and silent because they believe they can't have a phone or that there is no phone line. I probably won't be in town at the start of the tenancy so can't customise the patching for them. So will provide some generic patching for them to common points (e.g phone in kitchen/dining room) with RJ45-BT adapters

 

Sounds like you're doing all that you could reasonably be expected to do. And if someone makes an assumption that they can't have a phone but doesn't even ask... well... you can't fix stupid.

A courtesy call to the tenants after a week or so from whoever is managing the property to ask if they have their Internet and phone all up and running, and that everything else is OK should cover you (and make you look like a good landlord as well).

Paul1977:

 

nickb800:

 

I've seen it a bit with corded phones, which many people still have for emergencies. Or a variant is that there is a RJ45-RJ11 cable, but it runs through the base of the phone, has a curly section, then plugs into the bottom of the handset - so your standard RJ45-RJ11 isn't a great substitute.

 

Yeah I'm not so worried about people messing around with the patching, more that they are grumpy and silent because they believe they can't have a phone or that there is no phone line. I probably won't be in town at the start of the tenancy so can't customise the patching for them. So will provide some generic patching for them to common points (e.g phone in kitchen/dining room) with RJ45-BT adapters

 

 

Sounds like you're doing all that you could reasonably be expected to do. And if someone makes an assumption that they can't have a phone but doesn't even ask... well... you can't fix stupid.

 

A courtesy call to the tenants after a week or so from whoever is managing the property to ask if they have their Internet and phone all up and running, and that everything else is OK should cover you (and make you look like a good landlord as well).

 

Yeah and I'm probably overthinking it - but want to have happy, long term tenants

nickb800:

 

Does anyone recommend a tech in Christchurch that does minor residential jobs and is familar with structured cabling?

 

Give Kiwi Communications a call, we use them for work and they are very good.

BTR:

 

nickb800:

 

Does anyone recommend a tech in Christchurch that does minor residential jobs and is familar with structured cabling?

 

 

 

 

Give Kiwi Communications a call, we use them for work and they are very good.

 

Thanks!

This reminds me when my parents rented out their house for a year. They have has UFB for approx 4 years now. (lucky them) It is an aerial install done back when it was a requirement to remove the old aerial copper before installing aerial fibre. This meant they had to tell the property manager to tell tenants before hand that if they wanted a landline phone, they couldn't sign up with Telecom. As they didn't at the time have a residential VOIP offering, and copper voice was unavailable due to no copper leadin.

So at least your setup won't be stopping the tenants from signing up to their favourite RSP.

Place is listed now - if you're interested in renting a place with structured cabling in Christchurch, check it out http://www.trademe.co.nz/a.aspx?id=1336259600

Back on topic - do you normally leave the TV mounting bracket on the wall?