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  1. #1
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    Sep 2014
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    Default Removal of a Cable Package from a Lease

    My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: Indiana

    We signed a renewed lease in April 2014 until March 2015. Included in the lease was the option to add cable through the landlord, since cable cannot be obtained from anyone else. We are trying to remove the cable package now, and they will not agree to a complete removal from the lease. We signed a 'Scheduled Payment' page that acknowledges all fees, but it does not say anywhere in the lease that we cannot cancel the service if we should not desire or cannot afford it anymore. There are no fees stated for cancellation. What can I do? Can they they legally hold me to paying for the cable package even though I have expressed in writing on their legal document that I wish to modify the lease to not include the cable?

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Removal of Cable Package

    If you are stating that when you renewed your lease you were given the option of adding cable service to your lease, and you chose to do so at an additional fee with the commitment to service and the fee being incorporated into your lease, you will have the opportunity to revisit that decision when your lease expires in March. If you are trying to say something else, you will need to better explain the context, and quote the relevant documents as necessary.

  3. #3
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    Default Re: Removal of Cable Package

    We actually had the cable package added into our lease the first year we became tenants with our landlord in 2012. We renewed earlier this year for a third year with them and kept the cable package on the lease. We can no longer afford to pay it, which is why we decided to remove it. We figured it wouldn't be a problem, since it was never stated that we could not remove the service at any time during the lease. We also figured there would be a cancellation fee that we could pay to completely remove the package, but that is not stated either. All in all, the landlord's associates in the office state that I agreed to pay the acknowledged fees listed on the 'Scheduled Payments' page and that the cancellation of cable is upon his approval. But I wonder why we can't pay a fee to completely remove a service we no longer want, when we can do such a thing if we were to move out earlier than the lease end date? We can make modifications to add/remove pets, add/remove people from the lease, and add internet services and cable, but not remove said service?

    - - - Updated - - -

    There is no documents to quote, since there is nothing that states anything in the lease about the cable package except for the page that lists all fees and services during the lease term. The cable fees are incorporated into the rent, and we pay them (rent and cable) in one fee at the first of every month.

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Removal of Cable Package

    You signed a document, your lease, in which you agreed to pay for the cable service as part of your agreed rent.

    If you chose to roll the cable service into your rent, such that it is one of the amenities you get through your lease as part of your rent, then as you were previously told you can choose to negotiate different lease terms when your lease expires in March. You are free to try to convince your landlord to amend your lease at an earlier date, but it is a contract to which you bound yourself and they don't have to do so merely because you regret part of your bargain.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
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    Default Re: Removal of Cable Package

    Quote Quoting Genn.Gibson
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    We actually had the cable package added into our lease the first year we became tenants with our landlord in 2012. We renewed earlier this year for a third year with them and kept the cable package on the lease. We can no longer afford to pay it, which is why we decided to remove it. We figured it wouldn't be a problem, since it was never stated that we could not remove the service at any time during the lease. We also figured there would be a cancellation fee that we could pay to completely remove the package, but that is not stated either. All in all, the landlord's associates in the office state that I agreed to pay the acknowledged fees listed on the 'Scheduled Payments' page and that the cancellation of cable is upon his approval. But I wonder why we can't pay a fee to completely remove a service we no longer want, when we can do such a thing if we were to move out earlier than the lease end date? We can make modifications to add/remove pets, add/remove people from the lease, and add internet services and cable, but not remove said service?
    Sorry, but you are stuck for the rest of the lease period.

    Your assumption is faulty.

    There is nothing in the lease that says you CAN cancel the service so that means you've agreed to it for the entire lease period.

    You can move out early and pay a lease cancellation fee because the lease says you can do it.

    You can add/remove pets, add/remove people, and add internet services and cable because the lease says you can do them.

    You cannot remove the cable service because the lease doesn't say that you can remove it.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
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    3

    Default Re: Removal of Cable Package

    Thank you everyone.

    Adjusterjack: Your quote at the end was a little uncalled for. I'm not trying to avoid reality. I'm not one of those people who try to sue people for money. I only wanted to know if this is fair situation or not. I don't know much about realty law, which is why I came here. But thank you on your further input on the situation.

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Removal of Cable Package

    You shouldn't take offense at somebody's signature line. It goes on everything they post, and is not about you.

  8. #8
    Join Date
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    Default Re: Removal of a Cable Package from a Lease

    Quote Quoting Genn.Gibson
    View Post
    We signed a renewed lease in April 2014 until March 2015. Included in the lease was the option to add cable through the landlord, since cable cannot be obtained from anyone else.
    This seems a little strange. Is the landlord also a cable company? Most towns near me have rules on who can provide cable service in the town, not sure about yours.

    What type of setup is this that you are renting, is a duplex with the landlord in the other half or some variation of this? Is the landlord paying for cable for one residence and splitting the service to other apartments and charging them for it? If this is the case then you may have an out or at least a bargaining chip in your negotiations. I don't think whoever supplies cable to the landlord would be very happy to hear that someone is redistributing their service among multiple properties without paying them for that right. Not saying this is what's happening at your place but i'd look into it if I was in your situation. Of course if you do "drop a dime" on your landlord, you better start looking for a new place for when your current lease is up.

  9. #9
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    Default Re: Removal of a Cable Package from a Lease

    It's not at all unusual for a landlord to offer a cable package, included with the unit or discounted, to tenants. The landlord isn't the cable provider. They have a contract with the cable company that allows them to provide services to tenants with the cables and jacks already in place when a tenant moves in.

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