Do You Keep Landline Phones in Your Rentals?

We keep landline phones in our rentals for guests. With two cottages, it costs us about $30 per cottage per month for the regular phone and then the "block service" so that guests can't make long-distance calls. When we travel, however, we notice that most of the places we rent (other than hotels) don't have phones. How many people here have landline phones in their rentals, especially now that most people have cell phones? I'm trying to decide whether we should keep the phones in the cottages. Opinions from owners/guests? Thanks.

We used to have a landline phone in every room, but as renters have broken them, we haven't replaced them.

That being said, sometimes our Verizon phones don't work at our home, and thus we might need a landline just to call 911. That might be true for one of our guests.

An out-of-network cell phone wouldn't pick up a reverse 911 call, would it? Considering how many risk factors this area has- hurricane, wildfire, military 'oopsie'... I'd keep a bare bones landline in a rental unit for that kind of worst case safety warning alone. (and if Walton County doesn't currently do this, it really should)

Paula, you're asking something I've been meaning to ask myself, so I thank you. One of our friends doesn't keep a phone in his condo for guests--he relies completely on cell phone (at his own home, too). I was wondering if we should go through the expense of it at our condo but didn't know if it was a legal requirement or not for a rental property. Anyone know for sure? I wouldn't mind nixing a $300+ yearly expense if I could!

I'm not sure if it is a legal requirement, but I can tell you that it is a huge liability issue.

Guest leaves coffee pot on and house/condo burns. You try to recover damages and in court a judge throws out the lawsuit since you didn't provide a land line that was traceable by 911 so the fire department was delayed or the guest didn't have a cell phone and so couldn't call 911.

This scenario also fits medical emergencies. I'm going to do some research, but I know that many rental companies contracts require land line phone service.

Keep in mind VRBO'ers that it's a great tool during spring break:

Ring Ring
You: Can I speak to Joe Parent that signed contract.
Drunk Teen: They're not here.
You: When will they be in?
Drunk Teen: When we check Saturday on out. Woo hoo lets get drunk/stoned and...

Good question. We don't have a lot of renters, but multiple owners and there is always that $300/yr line item on expenses that is discussed. I, personally, think we need it for 911, but i'm open to suggestions, comments, etc. Here at Seacrest, we can only call folks on 30a and west, not Panama city, so that limits our phone capabilities. But I know the pizza delivery folks appreciate having an actual land line on the caller ID. I appreciate any enlightenment folks have on this subject

I did think that it was a requirement that there be a landline which could be used to call 911. Whether that was an insurance requirement or otherwise I don't know. I do know a friend of mine was miffed by all the fees she had to pay just to keep the line local only and keep all the features off it.

I'm a renter and really do appreciate a land phone line. While being available for emergency reasons is of paramount importance, I would prefer not using my cell phone to make those all important dinner reservations as well. My cell phone coverage is "Canadian" and I pay $12 to $15 dollars roaming fees for an international call while on 30A.

I'm a renter and really do appreciate a land phone line. While being available for emergency reasons is of paramount importance, I would prefer not using my cell phone to make those all important dinner reservations as well. My cell phone coverage is "Canadian" and I pay $12 to $15 dollars roaming fees for an international call while on 30A.

Case closed! The people have spoken. :clap: Thanks, mommaDee!

I must have one in WC....of course, it includes dialing for whatever your heart desires. ;-)

Phone Lines

We keep a land line for the liability issues mentioned earlier. I am looking at some new technology that uses your DSL internet connection to provide a phone service that will have 911 capabilities etc.
One of them is Ooma, ooma: Free home phone service. Call anywhere in the US with no monthly fees. heard about this company from Clark Howard.

I was told that it was Florida Law that resort rentals have a land line!

The power of SoWal is revealed yet again! The landline stays.

Paula, thanks for starting this thread ... I've thought about it too.

What about bundling phone with Mediacom cable and internet? Has anyone done this to save some money? I really dislike Mediacom but they are the best option for now; it would be nice to whittle down the expenses.

While most everyone coming to the beach DOES have a cell phone, I find that many have carriers with crappy reception, and therefore of little use at the beach. What happens when your renter needs medical attention and cannot call 911? Are you liable? (should you be liable is another question.) By the way, I believe if your phone is connected to the working phone line, even after you disconnect service with phone company, dialing 911 still works, because that 911 fund is attached to all phones. Same for cell phones, or so I'm told.

I took the land line out of one one house and kept it in the larger one. They are near each other. I had the line for years, no one used it. The one time it was used, the person managed to circumvent the long distance filters somehow and call long distance, running up the bill.

I now have a Magic Jack in the house. It costs 19.95 a year, plugs right into the port on a laptop, then you plug the phone line into the tele port. There is no software involved at all. It has 911 service, emails messages to you to listen to right on your computer, and they can call anywhere in the Country, including Canada. If you have sno-birds they will love it. It is all unlimited at the one price. You can pick the area code you want for the phone. It's not listed in any directory if you don't want it to be and there is no software to install.

Bob, on this board, told me about it and I have it at home as well to manage rentals. When they allow you to use your land line number, I will be replacing it at home, since I have had that for 16 years and people can find me that way. I'm going to add one to the other house and remove the land line.
Greatest little gadget for the price. :clap:

magicJack

I don't think I've ever picked up the land phone in a rental. Calling 911 would be the only reason I would.

Had not thought about bundling the phone with cable...will look into that! That's what we did at home....huge savings.

I, too, prefer to keep a landline for 911 access. Just makes sense to me. My hubby does not and will not use a cell phone (I know, it drives me nuts!). I know some couples who share a cell when on vacation---due to one person's phone being a work phone, etc.

I have a small cleaning company that handles beach rentals. All of the rentals I've cleaned have landlines in their unit. Between wishy washy signals and emergencies it's the best bet.

I took the land line out of one one house and kept it in the larger one. They are near each other. I had the line for years, no one used it. The one time it was used, the person managed to circumvent the long distance filters somehow and call long distance, running up the bill.

I now have a Magic Jack in the house. It costs 19.95 a year, plugs right into the port on a laptop, then you plug the phone line into the tele port. There is no software involved at all. It has 911 service, emails messages to you to listen to right on your computer, and they can call anywhere in the Country, including Canada. If you have sno-birds they will love it. It is all unlimited at the one price. You can pick the area code you want for the phone. It's not listed in any directory if you don't want it to be and there is no software to install.

Bob, on this board, told me about it and I have it at home as well to manage rentals. When they allow you to use your land line number, I will be replacing it at home, since I have had that for 16 years and people can find me that way. I'm going to add one to the other house and remove the land line.
Greatest little gadget for the price. :clap:

magicJack

What if your renters do not have a laptop? :idontno: