Internet distribution poles are rarely right outside every house. As a result, the drop cable, the cable from the pole to a subscriber's home, often has to cross someone else's roof, wall, or yard. In dense alleys this is almost unavoidable, and it is where many disputes between neighbours begin.

This article is general information, not legal advice. For a dispute that can't be settled amicably, consult the neighbourhood association or a legal adviser.

The basic principle: other people's property needs permission

Walls, roofs, fences, and yards are part of their owner's property. Nailing cable clips, tying cable to a gutter, or putting up a small pole there without consent can be seen as interfering with the owner's rights, regardless of who subscribes to the internet.

Installation technicians generally look for the easiest route. The easiest route isn't necessarily an agreed one, so it falls to the subscriber to make sure.

Before the technician arrives

  1. Ask the provider which pole the cable will come from, and estimate the route.
  2. If the route crosses someone else's home, talk to the owner first. Explain the fixing points and that fibre cable is thin, carries no electricity, and is harmless.
  3. Ask the technician to follow the agreed route, for example along the roof edge rather than across the middle.
  4. For rentals and boarding houses, the building owner's permission is also needed, see the guide to internet in rented homes and boarding houses.

Verbal consent is enough for most cases between neighbours. A short WhatsApp message recording the agreed route helps if questions come up later.

If a neighbour objects after installation

  • Listen to the reason. Objections are often specific: the cable is in the way of renovation, hangs low, or clip nails have made roof tiles leak.
  • Ask for a fix through the provider. A sagging cable can be tightened, clips moved, or the route changed. Don't cut or pull the cable yourself; fibre breaks easily and replacement may be charged.
  • Involve the neighbourhood association if direct talks stall. Local officials often know alternative routes other residents use.

If someone else's cable crosses your home

You are entitled to ask for a cable installed without permission to be moved. How:

  1. Look for a provider label on the cable, terminal box, or nearest pole.
  2. Ask the neighbour who is likely the subscriber; the matter is often settled there.
  3. If unknown, report it to the provider's customer service with photos and the location address.

Avoid cutting the cable. Besides cutting off someone's internet, it can damage provider-owned equipment and make the problem worse.

A tidy installation prevents problems

Cables that are pulled taut, run along building edges, and given a drip loop before entering the house are rarely questioned. Tips on caring for the cable route are in the guide to caring for fibre cable at home, and what to ask an installer in the guide to choosing a Wi-Fi installation service.

A cable on someone else's property needs the owner's permission. Agree the route before installation, resolve objections through the provider and neighbourhood association, and never cut a cable yourself, yours or anyone else's.

Frequently asked questions

May a technician fix a cable to a neighbour's wall without permission?

Better not. Walls, roofs, and fences belong to that homeowner, so installing on them needs their consent. Ask the technician to find another route if permission hasn't been given.

My neighbour wants my cable moved. Who pays?

Contact the internet provider first. Many providers handle cable route relocation requests, sometimes for a relocation fee. Ask about the terms and cost before scheduling.

What if another provider's cable crosses my roof?

Note the provider's name, usually printed on a label on the cable or pole, then report it to that provider's customer service or to the neighbourhood association so the owner of the line can be reached.