Rental Tenant Information for Satellite Dish Installation

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People who live in rental property such as apartments, condominiums, and 
townhomes now have special rights that allow them to use a satellite TV dish 
system. FCC rules now prevent the government, landlords, or community 
associations from restricting a resident from installing a satellite TV dish. This rule 
applies to areas that a person owns, rents, leases, or who has exclusive use or 
control. Exclusive areas include decks, balconies, porches, and even glass-
enclosed areas. The same guidelines apply to commercial properties.

Congress has passed laws which enact FCC rules that permit users to set up a 
satellite dish as long as it is not in a "common area" that may be used by other 
people. Common areas might include the roof or exterior walls of a building, or 
any other area that people can access without the permission of the tenant.

Neither the government nor the landowner can restrict the rights of tenants who 
want to receive satellite signals in this way. But there are certain restrictions that 
can still be applied to this privilege. First, A renter cannot damage the property 
of the landowner in any way, and this includes drilling holes for mounting. 
Permission must be granted from the landowner before any alteration of property. 
Second, the dish installation must not be a safety hazard to anyone. Third, if 
there is a common satellite dish that is specified for the use of multiple tenants, 
then the tenant loses their right to install their own. Next, the dish may not be 
installed or protrude into any common areas where other tenants have access. 
And lastly, dish installation may be restricted if it is associated with a historic site.

For more information, see the Federal Communications Commission website 
at URL:

http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/consumerdish.html


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