Apt has DISH, can DirecTV be installed?

[christo76]

I was at a friends apartment watching football. He was complaining that he wished he could have DirecTV for the HD channels. Apparently the apartment is wired for Time Warner and DISH network, but no DirecTV.

I told him that he is allowed to get his own dish on his balcony, and there is actual federal legislation allowing it. I even went so far as to provide a link to the federal info. I couldn't see anything in there where it says, if your apartment provides a satellite signal you can't get your own from a different provider.

I know he will have to ask his complex manager to make sure, but is there any case where legally he CAN'T install his own DirecTV dish? I can easily see the manager saying no, even if it is allowed.

[gnahc79]

Legally he can install a directv dish. However, if the apt complex legal dept is savy enough like my place (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=116421), they can make it pretty dern complex and even cost prohibitive (legally).

[christo76]

Hmmm.. ok...

Thought there wouldn't be any issues with that cuz the federal law actually says they can't make it cost or time prohibitive and states its up to the apartment complex to prove their side, not the renter.

[DirecTv Chicago]

Legally he can install a directv dish. However, if the apt complex legal dept is savy enough like my place (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=116421), they can make it pretty dern complex and even cost prohibitive (legally).

Thats pretty much how it goes. Yes by law as long as you meet certain guidelines they can not stop you from putting up a dish. However they can stall, go to court, make living there a pain, increase your rent on your next renewal, etc.

What it really comes down to is how important is it to have the dish? I have learned from my past expierences that it is not smart to piss off management. Even in a situation such as this where you are entirely within your legal rights they may look at is a you being a hassel as a tenant. So the next time your plumbing or heating is having problems might be waiting a few more days.

Alot of it comes down to principal and its your right to have it, but I also like having my heat working properly in 10 degree weather. Personally I would contact them first and see how receptive they are to allowing this. If they object nicely explain that by law then can not stop you but at the same time you wanted to work with them and install it in the best manner possible in terms of safety and astetics (sp).

[gnahc79]

I got time on my hands now :), waiting for other ppl at work

Yeah, they can't charge a fee, but it's not clear if they can charge a deposit. Is a deposit an unreasonable expense since you get it back? What if the deposit is $250 or $1000, is it unreasonable then? Who knows.

An easy way to determine how easy it will be is to take a look at the lease agreement. If there isn't too much about satellite dishes (mounting restrictions, deposit, etc.), then go for it. Check with the apt manager after reading the lease agreement to double check if it's ok. They can amend the contract the next time your buddy does a renewal.

[DirecTv Chicago]

Hmmm.. ok...

Thought there wouldn't be any issues with that cuz the federal law actually says they can't make it cost or time prohibitive and states its up to the apartment complex to prove their side, not the renter.


That is true however with everything legal there are different ways to view the law. Can they make you hire a company to install a specific pole, in a specific area, and a cost 10 times what it would be for DirecTV to do it, no.

But there is nothing stopping them from stating they want their insurance adjuster to check what damage my be to the building, and meet with you in the middle of the day on a Wednesday when you would other wise be at working making money. And then meet with their maintenance workers at 2:00pm the following week, again forcing you to miss work.

It again comes down to how much you want the DirecTV dish.

[christo76]

All very good info guys. Thanks... This is why i am glad I belong here. I will pass all this on to my friend, and let him go from there.