The OP may be tempted to drill and just pass a patch cable through.

Even though it could be a short cable run, would you suggest network sockets on both sides to keep things tidy?

Would have thought that takes care of most safety aspects in no permanent trailing wires, though I'd want to clearly label the socket on the tenant side indicating to contact the landlord.

Edited by prlzx (Thu 29-Nov-12 21:03:14)

Yes. It will keep it tidy and easier to maintain.

I'd have to agree with Bill.

An ethernet cable through the partition wall should be fine. A cheap sacrificial switch at either side should offer a layer of protection to the network, should an electrical fault expose mains voltage to the cable it should cause the sacrificial switch to burn out long before there is the risk of anything nasty happening.

However, if there is such an electrical fault, and the properties are on different phases, and the sacrificial switch doesn't just burn out, those sorts of voltages aren't just dangerous, but I would suggest that the cable in those circumstances would would also pose a significant fire risk.