Safe Satellite Dish Placement in "Common Areas"

Over a year ago I had a satellite dish installed by a professional installer when I moved into Sagebrush/Andover Woods Apartments and it was placed in area that is considering a “Common Area” because there was no signal on the balcony. The “Common Area” that satellite dish was place in is not a high traffic area, no safety hazard violations, not damaging property or historic preservation.

DIRECTV has sent three different technicians out to try and relocate the satellite dish. At the time the problem was addressed with Property Management and they never did follow up on the matter. It was said that the Property Management has been letting residents have satellite dishes in “Common Areas”. Then three months later and a letter was placed on residents doors that had satellite dishes in “Common Areas” stating that the satellite dish had to be removed because it is against Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations.

The letter was placed on resident’s doors 12/07/ 2009 and they gave until 12/10/2009 to have the satellite dishes to be removed or placed on the resident’s balcony, patio, or exclusive use area. I then contacted FCC to see what a valid/invalid restriction is and the representative advised me that a petition or request a waiver can be filed. I spoke with the Property Manager about my findings and she said she would get back with me but never did. Then it is a year later I come home to find my satellite dish has been dug up and wires cut with out no kind of notice.I went down to the rental office Friday and the Property Manager told me that the Corporate office said that if satellite dishes were not residents balconies they had to come down. I informed the Property Manager that I would have had my satellite dish placed on my balcony if I could get a signal.

The Property Manager also informed me that I could change to a apartment were I could get a signal but I would have to pay $500. She said that she would get back with me on a apartment that was available. But my concern is that I should not have to move and has a resident I should be able to enjoy satellite service just like the other residents who can get a signal. The concern is as long as the satellite dish is not causing a safety hazard, damage to any property or historic preservation then it should be able to be place in a “Common Area” that is not high traffic area. It is a discrimination against the residents that stay in an area where they can not place their satellite dish on their balcony, patio, or an area that is exclusively used by them because they will not receive a signal. I do not believe that the placement of my satellite dish or other residents that have their satellite dishes in “Common Areas” are causing any harm to Sagebrush/Andover Woods property.

For the residents that have caused damaged to the property by the placement of their satellite dishes then yes they should be in violation.