Advice for independent co-ops

You may already be aware that in the UK we will be switching to digital TV between 2008 and 2012. This means that all your TV equipment may have to be upgraded or adapted to receive digital signals. Digital TV gives you all your usual TV channels and access to many more such as BBC Three, ITV2, E4 and digital radio stations. 

For independent co-ops, if you have tenants who live in a flat or house where your co-op provides a communal aerial system paid for through your service charges, you will need to arrange to have your TV equipment upgraded or adapted to receive digital TV. There will be a cost involved to upgrade the communal aerials and this will have to be passed on to your residents. There will also need to be an increase to the service charge each month to maintain the new digital TV aerial system.   

If you have not already started the process, you will need to check what adjustments need to be made to your current aerial system and consider the options available.   You will also need to consult your tenants about the continuation of a communal aerial system and write to them to ask their opinion, stressing that it is important that they respond and put their views forward. 

 For more information on the digital switchover go to the DigitalUK website