Practical Advice

[Zenas]

I was researching television options the other day and found that satellite TV through DishNetwork is significantly cheaper ($20) than the local cable provider. In order to get service, you have to have a permission statement signed by your landlord if you're in an apartment or townhouse, and we are. On the form, it apparently makes it clear that it is illegal for a landlord to disallow you from having a television dish installed in certain areas that are exclusive to your dominion, like a back porch or garden. They can only prevent installation on the roof or in common areas.

My landlord is either unaware of this or is ignoring this fact, but either way, she is operating her establishment in violation of this law as she will not let anyone erect a television dish on the property.

My concern is that if i bring this to her attention, she may do something retaliatory. While this is also illegal, I don't want to have to deal with it. Should I just leave it alone or should I say something?

 

[bconway52]

How long are you planning on living at your current residence?

 

[Zenas]

Over 2 years.

 

[Prufrock]

Do you know she won't let people because you've already asked her recently, or because you have heard that she has said that before? If you haven't already asked her to sign the form, I would probably just "play" ignorant, and ask her to sign it; if she says, "No," I would ask her why, and then kindly ask her if the law on the form applies to this situation or not. If she even then shows resistance, I might let it go.

 

[SolaScriptura]

You may have legal recourse... but the ramifications of going that route would, in my mind, far outweigh the benefit of saving $20 a month on your cable bill.

So... I'd try talking to her, but if she is adamant, I'd drop it and go with cable... or find a new place to live that will allow you to get DISH and thereby save you $20 per month.

 

[bconway52]

I agree with Ben. If you're planning on living there for a while you don't want to create a bad relationship over $20 a month. BUT I would inquire about it before you decide to drop it...

 

[Zenas]

She told me directly when I asked her, I just didn't inform her of her legal responsibilities. I don't want to create bad blood, which is why I'm hesitant to bring it up. Playing big bad lawman may scare people into doing things, but it makes you no friends.

 

[biggandyy]

We (family) haven't had cable or dish or whatever for over 10 years and I still sit idly in front of the idiot box too much some times. We only get 8 channels! If you can, get rid of the thing all together, or at least give a try with only the digital antenna. We get 8 channels and that is more than enough.

Though I do miss things like Discovery and History and the Military Channel. But if there is a program series I want to see it comes out on DVD rather quickly and inexpensively. We have the first two seasons of Dirty Jobs on DVD and we get the added bonus of no commercials, can watch them in marathon format if wanted, and don't have to wait for the program to air when Discovery Channel wants to air it.

Will have to do the same thing with Survivor Man soon.

 

[Prufrock]

I still might be inclined to ask one more time, while perhaps subtly slipping the law in there, i.e.: "Ms.______, I just wanted to ask you about the dish one more time; I can't remember if I was specific as to placement or not before; the company would place it on the ______, and they said there should be no problems with that, since by law, as long as it is _____, the landlord can't forbid it."

Then, if she still objects, I would absolutely let it go.

 

[biggandyy]

If she hasn't let anyone put one up, ask the neighbors if they mentioned the legal ramifications to her. They may have brought it up and she was much less than receptive and threatened them into submission.

If there is some information out there (in the form of your neighbors experiences) gather that first to see if it is merely ignorance of the law on her part or stubbornness of heart.

 

[Prufrock]

Good thinking.