Dish Network and Apartments

If you live in an apartment, you may wonder if you have the ability or right to put up a Dish Network satellite dish on or outside your apartment, condo or townhouse.

In 1996, Congress and the FCC prohibited "restrictions that impair the installation, maintenance or use of antennas used to receive video programming. The rule applies to video antennas including direct-to-home satellite dishes that are less than one meter (39.37") in diameter (or of any size in Alaska)..." In other words, no entity can prevent you from installing a Dish Network satellite dish on your own property.

In 1999, "...the Commission amended the rule so that it also applies to rental property where the renter has an exclusive use area, such as a balcony or patio." Basically, the idea is, you have the right to mount the dish anywhere that is considered part of your apartment.

There are a couple exceptions, though. If the antenna poses a safety concern, or if the building is of historic significance, you may be out of luck. In such cases it would be up to the landlord (or the city) to decide. Also, if the mounting of the antenna requires "drilling through the exterior wall of a condominium or rental unit", the landlord may have the right to impose restrictions.

If you still have doubts, there's more information at the FCC's website: http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html. You can also download this diagram that shows which areas are considered "exclusive" and which areas may be subject to restrictions.

If you don't have an "exclusive use" such as a balcony or patio, you may still be able to get satellite TV by asking your landlord for permission and having them sign a permission form. Even if you do have an "exclusive use" area, it's probably a good idea to let your landlord know that you'd like to install satellite TV and have them sign the permission form for courtesy's sake.

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