Landlord agreement with cable company

Wednesday, April 5, 2000
From: afhutson@compuzone.net

I'm a renter in month 3 of a lease. I have
a patio measuring 8' x 13' with a 3' high
wooden railing around a cement floor.

Problem: Prior to me signing the lease the landlord entered into an agreement with the cable company and cable is now included in the rent.

I want to get one of these small satellite
dishes. I'm told by the leasing consultant
(with the property manager's blessing) ...
"You may have a satellite dish on the base
of your porch. The dish may not be secured
to any part of the building or the deck.
The dish may not be visible from the street.
We will have to discuss the issue further
about drilling through the porch into the
living room because Mr. Walkup is concerned
that other wiring could accidentally be
damaged in the process." ... ... ... ... ...
"Finally, since cable is included as a part
of the lease agreement, that can not be
disconnected until renewal next year."

I feel restrictions are being placed on me
in the form of the "being seen from the
street" and including the cable as part of
the lease.

I've read section 207 of FCC 98-273 and see
the verbage in there about restrictions.
Could this 'agreement' between the cable
company and the apartment owners be called
a restriction? It certainly is putting the
stops on me. I can't pay $35 a month for
cable plus the subscription fees that go
with the dish. Am I stuck?? Or, is that
agreement with the cable company in violation
of the FCC act?

Thanks,

A F Hutson
afhutson@compuzone.net

I don't know what agreement you are referring to between the cable co and the landlord. The landlord can put restrictions as to adding a satellite dish to his building. If you signed a lease with cable included in your rent, then the landlord does not have to give you a break for satellite. You might wait until the end of your lease and then renegotiate having a satellite dish instead of cable.