Lodger wants my details for internet provider

[Greatwhitegats]

I’m spending a few days away and the internet started playing up.

He’s told me the other day and I couldn’t call as they weren’t open (I did do as much online as I could). It was all working ok and today it stopped working.

He’s wFH at the moment and sent thus message ‘Hi I'm still having issues, is it possible to share X details so I can talk to X direct’.

I ignored and called them. They did some checks and stated it was the line at fault (didn’t do back end stuff over holiday and recently changed to broadband). Lodger stated “it’s the modem” and obviously doesn’t have faith in me.

What can I do if the internet provider is stating they’ve done the checks?

Also he uses a Mac and he has trouble with that early evening, my dell doesn’t. My friend said it’s because they are swapping frequencies (or something) and he needs to sort out his Mac. Again doesn’t listen.

Aibu for

1. not giving him my account details
2. thinking my provider can’t do much more

3. not caring too much that he can’t get online when he can’t teather from his phone/go to the office

Well what if it was an issue with the heating being broken or the electricity going off?

You have a responsibility to provide the services your lodger is paying for.

Yanbu not to give him the account details.

Yabu if you advertised the room to include internet if he doesn't have any.

If it's his problem with his Mac, and you can use it fine with your pc, tell him once more then just ignore him. He'll listen eventually

If the line is at fault as they say then isn't that next step?

Personally if the fault is the internet then I would be pretty frustrated as a lodger not to be able to use it!

YANBU. Is your own internet / devices working ok? Have you told him this?

They won’t even speak to him as he isn’t the account holder.

@Wotsitsits

Well what if it was an issue with the heating being broken or the electricity going off?

You have a responsibility to provide the services your lodger is paying for.

And I’ve called the internet provider within an hour of going of.

The loss of power and electricity is different. I would call the boiler repair who attend within 24 hours and provide blow heaters if possible.

My issue is him having my details. The internet people do everything remotely.

If the line is at fault, the telecoms provider needs to fix it.

Have they said when they will fix it?

I wouldn’t give him my account details either.

@errnerrcallnernnernnern

If the line is at fault, the telecoms provider needs to fix it.

Have they said when they will fix it?

They admitted it was a fault with them not doing back end work for a new service and have asked to restart unit. Not sure for how long.

Giving him your account details is pointless anyway as they won't speak to him if he's not the account holder. Can he not set up his own internet account?

I wouldn’t give him my account details either.
You have spoken to them, they can’t fix it, he doesn’t have magic superpowers that will solve the issue when speaking to them.

They admitted it was a fault with them not doing back end work for a new service and have asked to restart unit. Not sure for how long.

So they’re going to restart your unit to try and get it working?

They sound very wishy washy, you need clear timings and updates from them, especially now that so many people work from home.

Don’t let them mess you around.

I would not give him you details and would tell him that as he is not named on the contract that the provider will not talk to him.
However I would get back on to the provider and get a more exact update and a time frame.

Of course you are right not to give your personal details for the account to your lodger.
I would suggest he try another way to access the Internet to see if it is his device. Is the package you pay for good enough to handle the usage?

You could think of offering him compensation for the inconvenience if the issue goes on much longer.

If he thinks it's the modem, can you look into that too? There could always be two issues: line AND modem.

If WiFi is included in his rent, you’re taking the piss a bit just saying it’s fine he can go into the office or tether with his phone. Going to the office is a convenience, and I know that my phone can’t handle everything I need to use for work.

You’re coming across as a bit too blasé just here - wishy washy on what you’ve been told, and referring to the unsubstantiated opinion of a random friend. So if you’re like that with him, I’d be getting frustrated and asking for the direct contact too.

What do you think he’s going to do with these “details”? If there’s a password, change it for him like a “one time use”. If it’s things like your bank details - he lives with you, I’m sure he could get them if he wanted. Is it even the same account he pays his rent to?

Is the network protected, and has it always been? (Possibility of someone else getting him from work and using up all the bandwidth).

If that is not possible, I'd offer to go round one evening with your Dell to test your own connection at the same time as his Mac isn't getting a good connection. If yours is working and his isn't, then possibly something to do with his mac (though TBH this seems unlikely).

Plus when you are round there you could do a check of internet speed on your Dell and on his mac to compare.

@Cocomarine

If WiFi is included in his rent, you’re taking the piss a bit just saying it’s fine he can go into the office or tether with his phone. Going to the office is a convenience, and I know that my phone can’t handle everything I need to use for work.

You’re coming across as a bit too blasé just here - wishy washy on what you’ve been told, and referring to the unsubstantiated opinion of a random friend. So if you’re like that with him, I’d be getting frustrated and asking for the direct contact too.

What do you think he’s going to do with these “details”? If there’s a password, change it for him like a “one time use”. If it’s things like your bank details - he lives with you, I’m sure he could get them if he wanted. Is it even the same account he pays his rent to?

Yeah you are right. I should basically give him details of ALL accounts I hold just incase there may be an issue and he thinks he’s the best person to deal with it. He can also open up the bills I pay and have access to my person details - including bills that can also be used to open up credit in my name.

You are so reasonable!

Getting HOME from work

(like a neighbour who has access to your/his router)

@Justkeeppedaling

You could think of offering him compensation for the inconvenience if the issue goes on much longer.

If he thinks it's the modem, can you look into that too? There could always be two issues: line AND modem.

Yeah could be and as the only way this will be resolve is by me calling the internet company, which I’m doing…

@LemonLimelight

Giving him your account details is pointless anyway as they won't speak to him if he's not the account holder. Can he not set up his own internet account?

At my house… which I own… when I can kick him out? No way

OP, I think the issue here could be communication.

If you know the exact issue and the telecom company’s plan to fix it, and then relay that to the lodger, that will give him re-assurance that this will be fixed.

It all sounds a bit vague, you say they need to restart a unit but have no idea of the time frames involved. That could cause someone working from home anxiety.

@LemonLimelight also there is
Only one broadband line etc. So not possible.

He doesn't need your details. You can contact the internet provider and give him one off authority to speak to them directly.

If the issue is with the wifi changing frequencies, as your friend suggests, the technical team at your provider can talk him through it. They can also troubleshoot with him live to check whether it is the broadband, router or the set up is incorrect with his Mac. You can't really sort this out from afar, it needs to be done in person with the device that is having the issues. He needs to speak to the technical support team in person.

He is paying you for wifi so you really need to help.

Oh sorry - I've just remembered what 'lodger' means :D

In this case I'd sit your Dell next to his side by side and compare how yours is behaving compared to his during a time where he flags access isn't good.