Best router for sharing wifi with unknown tenants

[shopper150]

I have a rental property with multiple occupants. I want to charge them for wifi access.

Can anyone recommend a suitable router that would allow me to acheive this (i guess its like a wifi hotspot).

I am looking for the following features in particular.

- Easy to use interface
- Being able to access the router remotely, preferably from on iOS app to change settings, add/remove users etc.
- Be able to issue an individual password to each tenant so that I can block access when someone doesn't pay etc.

I am not sure how to tackle issues like dealing with potential illegal activity that a user may do online. How do I protect myself as the bill payer of the internet connection?

 

[Steveocee]

"A" router probably won't do this.

I know a MikroTik CRS125 with some WAP's will do this. You won't access it from an iOS app though as it needs Winbox to administer it correctly.
Individual WAP's will have separate SSID's and passwords and the MT can limit data usage by MAC, interface or IP if you need it to so you can cut them off if they take the biscuit.

Protection wise you could block outbound activity on ports other than "normal" or "expected" http, ssl, smtp etc but ultimately it would be at your risk.

If you read up on internet T&C's you'll find most will actually not allow you to do what you intend to as effectively you're reselling it.

 

[Caged]

I have a rental property with multiple occupants. I want to charge them for wifi access.

Can anyone recommend a suitable router that would allow me to acheive this (i guess its like a wifi hotspot).

I am looking for the following features in particular.

- Easy to use interface
- Being able to access the router remotely, preferably from on iOS app to change settings, add/remove users etc.
- Be able to issue an individual password to each tenant so that I can block access when someone doesn't pay etc.

I am not sure how to tackle issues like dealing with potential illegal activity that a user may do online. How do I protect myself as the bill payer of the internet connection?

Something from Meraki would do this perfectly. Illegal activity will be down to keeping logs of usage, which you may need to handle via a third-party service, it's not something I have any dealings with.

Bear in mind that if you are specifically charging for Internet access then you will be quite rightly expected to keep it working to an acceptable level. If you just throw it in with the rent then you can get away with a best-effort approach.

 

[pepp77]

Could do it with a Draytek 2830 and VLANs.

 

[AtreuS]

Most consumer ISPs do not allow you to do this.... you are reselling.

You will need a business class solution and tbh its going to be far more trouble than it is worth. People will forget/refuse to pay, and you will be lumbered with costs etc etc....

Let them use 4G dongles!

Reselling internet is a very typical "dodgy landlord" thing so be aware of any negative effect it has. If you do "resell" internet keep it cheap... getting greedy and charging £30 a month off each tennant for a £25 a month line is not cricket.