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Work group debates tenant opt‑out, subsidy impacts of landlord bulk broadband agreements (HB 1709)
Summary
The commission heard competing testimony on House Bill 1709 about landlord bulk‑billing for internet service. Tenant advocates flagged cases where tenants paid $80–$90 monthly and lost access to subsidies; broadband industry and builders said bulk agreements lower costs and improve managed connectivity and upgradability.
Members of the Virginia Housing Commission work group spent substantial time on House Bill 1709, which Delegate Gardner introduced to address tenant protections related to landlord bulk‑billing agreements for internet service in multi‑dwelling units (MDUs).
Delegate Deborah Gardner told the panel the bill stemmed from constituent reports of long‑term tenants forced out or priced out when bulk broadband fees appeared in lease renewals. "Tenants who qualify for free services should never be required to pay twice," Gardner said.
Why it matters: Bulk agreements are arrangements in which a building owner contracts with an internet service provider to deliver service to all units and then allocates the cost to tenants. Proponents say the arrangement reduces retail prices, improves building‑wide connectivity and enables managed Wi‑Fi; critics say some…
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