Landlords in Talks to Give Tenants Free Internet

Social landlords are in talks with internet service providers in a bid to arrange free online access for tenants ahead of the introduction of the universal credit. Westminster Council, which owns 22,000 homes, is in talks with a private company to provide free broadband to all its social housing tenants. The council estimates three in 10 of its tenants do not have online access.  Under the proposed scheme, the company would pay for a fibre optic link into the council’s housing stock.  Tenants would be offered a box enabling free internet access through their televisions. They would be able to access government, email, shopping and banking websites and some freeview television channels.  In return for funding the free service, the company will offer more complex packages tenants would pay for.  Read more on Inside Housing.