I just rented half of a house. There are no phone jacks or phone lines installed. I bought an expensive 'smart tv' in order to avoid cable, and wanted to use wireless internet instead. Start up of the internet, and my home phone require a phone line. The landlord has no intentions of adding one. Are there laws/requirements that state that the landlord should install a phone line for me? Or is this something I'll have to pay for myself?

Landlord not required to provide landlines, now that everyone prefers to have cell phones for that service. Yes, you will have to pay for it yourself and get his permission to do it seeing as it requires drilling.

While I don't disagree with tickle, I'm wondering what Internet service requires a landline.

while i don't disagree with tickle, i'm wondering what internet service requires a landline.

Dsl ?

Yes, dsl

OK, DSL requires connection to the TelCo's nearest Central Station, but not necessarily a phone line. The connection yes, not the service.

Even before cell phones there was never a law anywhere that I know of that ever required a landlord to provide phone jacks or phone lines to the building.

I had an apartment for just a few months last year, and my upstairs neighbors let me pay them a bit each month to use their internet (they gave me the code) and let me share physical cable for TV.

But it cannot be added without permission of the owner, get it in writing, or you could be liable for holes drilled, and so on

Not sure where the code is, but believe a dwelling is required to have at least 1 Phone Jack?

Found this for California,
Rent Watch: Landlord must pay for a usable phone jack - Los Angeles Times (http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jan/30/business/la-fi-rent-20110130)
I believe it is for ALL States, If not, it should be, For Safety, the Elderly, whatever.
Who ever builds a house with NO Phone jack, Is not a bright as they think they are, or super cheap.
A Phone Jack and wire cost less than $10.
I have had 1 customer not wanting Phone Jacks, I installed it for free, so if the House is sold, The new owner won't be Screwed?