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  1. #1

    Default How to Get Permission to Repair a Cable Line

    My question involves a condominium located in the State of: California

    My condo was rennovated back in 1988 and the developer started selling them. I bought my property in summer of 2009. It is a 1 bedroom condo on the 2nd floor, about 800 square feet.


    Issue # 1

    My issue dates back to December, 2012. I had Comcast cable TV/internet/VoIP phone. One day the internet started going out on me, and soon after the TV as well.

    Comcast came by a few times, and sent Technicians, Supervisors etc. The end result was determined to be a fault (broken, damaged) coaxial cable somewhere between my unit and the junction box. I even called AT&T and they came by trying to activate service and reached the same conclusion. (It was either eaten my rodents or damaged in some other way)

    I contacted my Property Management Company and advised I would like to get this fixed. Their response was that this cable is MY RESPONSIBILITY, and not theirs and that I also need to submit a request for the repair so they can get it approved, showing them some different methods of how to fix it.

    Mind you, nobody knows where the original cable goes through, and everyone said it would be impossible to replace it, so hence I need a new coaxial cable run.

    I called Comcast and they sent 3 Techs one weekend. I was told there are 2 possible ways to run a new cable:

    1. Run it along the roof line and all the way to the junction, or just above the roof itself.

    2. Dig a trench around the building, lay out a conduit and run the cable from there.

    Last week I submitted my reuqest and they denied both methods.

    The board meets on 05/16 and I emailed them and the Property Management Representative requesting they come up with a solution, since they denied the ones I came up with.

    So far dealing with all of them has been nothing but a nightmare. They do not respond to phone calls or emails, when they do it's rare and occurs weeks after I try to contact them. I feel like they are trying to delay this or hope I forget about the whole thing.

    Well, I can't forget about it since I've had no internet or cable TV for 6 months now. Mind you, I work as a Network Engineer, so being on the internet is important to me. I have to go down the street to a coffee shop and use their internet. I can't watch TV or Netflix or even work from home.

    I do plan on selling the unit in the very near future, but my Real Estate Agent says I will need to disclose or fix this problem. I'm afraid nobody will want to buy the place without cable/internet infrastructure.


    Issue # 2

    I recieved a letter from the HOA's Attorney advising me there is a lawsuit against the developer of the property regarding "construction defects", but the property address the Plaintiff has is not my property. I am curious if this will put a halt on me being able to sell the property.

    I owe $225,000 on the property, and according to my agent, it's worth between $309,000 to $320,000. I do not want to lose this investment. I simply want to sell the place and move somewhere else (most likely to another State).

    Please please help me, I am not quite sure what to do anymore or who to talk to.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Posts
    179

    Default Re: How to Get Permission to Repair a Cable Line

    Let us know what comes of the board meeting...

    Also walk around the property and see if you can see any comcast cables and what other people did. What about satellite? How do these cables run? In general most contractors that come are clueless. I often find it that, knowing more about our property, I have to tell them how to do things.... If you see someone else has done what the board rejected for you, please don't go to the board and say so and so did it why can't I... You may get so and so in trouble.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: How to Get Permission to Repair a Cable Line

    Quote Quoting Highwayman79
    View Post
    I contacted my Property Management Company and advised I would like to get this fixed. Their response was that this cable is MY RESPONSIBILITY, and not theirs and that I also need to submit a request for the repair so they can get it approved, showing them some different methods of how to fix it.
    The damaged cable run, then, serves only your property? I haven't heard it argued before, and a quick search doesn't turn up any authority on the issue, but California law (Civil Code, Sec. 1364(f)) provides special protections for telephone wiring in condos, and given both VOIP and cable telephone service it's a plausible argument that the law would apply to a cable run supporting those technologies.
    Quote Quoting California Civil Code, Sec. 1364(f)
    Notwithstanding the provisions of the declaration, the owner of a separate interest is entitled to reasonable access to the common areas for the purpose of maintaining the internal and external telephone wiring made part of the exclusive use common areas of a separate interest pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (i) of Section 1351. The access shall be subject to the consent of the association, whose approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, and which may include the association’s approval of telephone wiring upon the exterior of the common areas, and other conditions as the association determines reasonable.
    Quote Quoting Highwayman79
    Last week I submitted my request and they denied both methods.
    Did they provide a rationale?
    Quote Quoting Highwayman79
    Well, I can't forget about it since I've had no internet or cable TV for 6 months now.
    Not that it's an ideal solution, but (as previously suggested) have you considered satellite - at least until you get the cable run repaired? Perhaps the idea of your installing a dish will inspire the condo association to approve your wiring repair.
    Quote Quoting Highwayman79
    I received a letter from the HOA's Attorney advising me there is a lawsuit against the developer of the property regarding "construction defects", but the property address the Plaintiff has is not my property. I am curious if this will put a halt on me being able to sell the property.
    I have no information about the content or purpose of the letter, nor do I have any information about the underlying suit beyond the generality you've provided, so I have no way to comment on whether either has any relevance to your condo or its value. Do you believe your condo building or unit shares the alleged defect?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Posts
    372

    Default Re: How to Get Permission to Repair a Cable Line

    Why don't you have the defective wire replaced? Many electricians are quite good at snaking new cable through walls. Comcast, I am told, does not snake wire but most electricians do.

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