Bought a property, tons of old internet and cable lines outside who do I contact to remove them

Just bought a property and noticed a mess of old internet and cable utility lines running along the exterior. Not sure which provider the previous owner used, and the lines look abandoned or disconnected.

What’s the best way to figure out who owns them and get them removed or cleaned up? Do I call 311, the city, or start reaching out to ISPs like Spectrum, Verizon, etc.?

Anyone dealt with this before and know the right process or who’s actually responsible for removing old utility wiring?

sphil305

in Utilities 4 days ago

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Brownstone Home Inspection | 3 days ago

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be careful. on many row house blocks in this city, they ran poles for the communications behind the houses and then ran a box to service a half dozen or so houses to one house and fed the other houses that way. so these may not be there to service just your house but others. when i do home inspections, i try to look and see if the wires service other buildings and advise the purchaser so they do not simply start cutting things.

davidjonson | 4 days ago

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I’ve run into this a lot with older properties. Most of those lines are abandoned once service changes hands a few times. The first step is just to confirm they’re truly dead if they’re dangling, cut off, or bundled near the demarcation point, they usually are.

From there, it’s mainly a cleanup issue. ISPs like Spectrum, AT&T, and Verizon will often remove their old drops if you call the local office and explain it’s a new ownership situation. They’ll usually send a tech out at no charge.

If none of them claim the lines which happens often any licensed electrician or low-voltage contractor can safely pull them down. The city won’t handle it unless it’s hanging over a street or causing a safety hazard.
Bottom line: it’s a common mess, easy to fix. Just confirm nothing’s live, then have it cleaned up by whoever’s willing provider if possible, electrician if not.