Results 1 to 7 of 7
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Posts
    4

    Default DishNetwork Installed Without Consulting the Landlord

    Hi. I guess I made a somewhat thoughtless (if not illegal) decision to install DishNetwork without consulting my landlord. My understanding was that tenants are permitted to install satellite dishes and other aerial equipment as long as the dish is smaller than one meter in diameter (which it is) and I guess I just assumed it was my business. Now, my landlord wants to "talk" about it. I'd just like to be as prepared as possible before I have this conversation, so that I handle it in a way that complies with the law and preserves our relationship while hopefully minimizing any additional cost to myself.

    I've Googled the issue a bit and discovered that, while I was right that the LL cannot prohibit me from using a dish, he can prohibit me from drilling holes in the walls in order to install it. Unfortunately, there were two holes drilled as part of the installation (through one exterior and one interior wall, each the width of a coaxial cable).

    So my question is, now that the hole-drilling damage has already been done, can the LL require me to remove the dish ('twould be a big bummer, as I am obligated to pay for 18 months of service)? Am I simply liable for the cost of repairing the two holes in the wall when I move out? Is it possible for the LL to inflate the eventual repair costs in any way and what should I do to protect myself now?

    I'm hoping it's the kind of thing where I can just apologize for not consulting him first, promise to repair the damage upon moving out, and let that be the end of it. Any advice or insight would be appreciated. Thanks!

    d'oh -- forgot to mention that I'm in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, if that matters.

  2. #2
    panther10758 Guest

    Default Re: DishNetwork installed with consulting landlord

    He can do a number of things

    Request fee for repairs
    Request you remove satilite
    Request you leave
    come up with some agreement over the issue. The agreement is unknown as you two will need to discuss it.
    He can also ask you to leave and charge you for repairs

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: DishNetwork installed with consulting landlord

    Thanks so much for the quick response. I'll let you know what he says. My plan is just to be apologetic and accommodating and hopefully be able to avoid having to take the dish down. I'll start by promising to pay for any necessary repairs when we move out, and if he insists on taking it down maybe a fair compromise would be for us to pay estimated repair costs now but keep the dish in place until we move out. Anyway, valuable to know I'm basically at his mercy so I can put on my kneepads and prepare myself to grovel.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: DishNetwork Installed Without Consulting the Landlord

    Thanks again for the help (and thanks to whoever edited the thread title to say "without" as it should have said).

    Anyway, had my conversation with the landlord and it wasn't that big of a deal. Turns out he didn't really care, but the condo association has a problem with the dishes being attached to rooftops. So I just have to take it down from the roof and clamp it to the railing on our balcony and that will be fine.

    As far as I can tell, the association's policy complies with the law as described on the FCC web site.

    Those rules say that "Effective January 22, 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."

    So basically, as they are saying, I can have the dish but it has to be on the balcony. My landlord doesn't seem to care about drilling holes in the wall, which is a relief (and of course I'll fix them when we move out). All I have to do is move it from the roof to the balcony.

    So thanks again for the help. All's well that ends well.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Palm Springs/Manhattan Beach, California
    Posts
    37

    Default Luck of the Irish...

    Sounds as if you completely lucked out.

    As stated by another previously, in situations of this entirety, landlords/property managers generally have the opportunity to utilize their own discretion, i.e. fining you or more importantly...issuing a Notice of Eviction.

    My advice would be to review your leasing agreement for any such clauses, in attempt to prevent this occurrence from happening again.

    Good luck~

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Luck of the Irish...

    Quote Quoting FairHousingGuru
    View Post
    Sounds as if you completely lucked out.
    Yeah, there's no denying that I lucked out. He could have made it a much bigger deal if he'd wanted to. But on the other hand, why would he want to? I mean, I think if you spend too much time in a forum like this, the entire world starts to look like a big contest between people bent on screwing each other as hard as they can without exposing their own behinds. But thankfully, that's not the world we're living in ... yet. Most people are still willing to be cool about most things -- no harm, no foul, as long as the HOA is happy and no damage done. I'm definitely glad and feel lucky that my landlord was cool about it. But just for the benefit of others who chance upon this forum, I think it's worth saying that you might NOT get sued or have to sue in order to arrive at a fair, mutually satisfactory conclusion with whoever you're dealing with. People can be OK sometimes.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Palm Springs/Manhattan Beach, California
    Posts
    37

    Default Accent the positive...

    Ziggy,

    I feed upon your optimism. It's always a pleasure to see that someone out there is capable of accenting the positive.

    Kudos~

    1. Sponsored Links
       

Similar Threads

  1. Unemployment Benefits: Consulting and Unemployment
    By sybilroslyn in forum Employment and Labor
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 04-24-2011, 06:29 AM
  2. Rent and Utilities: Landlord Charging Rent While Locks Are Not Installed
    By Stimpack in forum Landlord-Tenant Law
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 06-25-2010, 09:38 PM
  3. Consulting a Lawyer
    By Evil Scotman in forum Estate Planning, Administration and Probate
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 05-07-2010, 07:47 AM
  4. Quiet Enjoyment: Hidden Camera Installed by Landlord
    By Dunamisbass in forum Landlord-Tenant Law
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 01-15-2010, 08:47 PM
  5. Quiet Enjoyment: Landlord Installed Surveillance Cameras
    By agrajag9 in forum Landlord-Tenant Law
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 09-03-2009, 09:24 AM
 
 
Sponsored Links

Legal Help, Information and Resources