Renters - 5 things you need to know before buying satellite dish TV

1. Satellite dish TV Rules and Regulations

You may still be able to get satellite TV, even if your landlord doesn’t allow satellite TV. Under the FCC (Federal Communication Commission) rules and regulations, renters are allowed to install dish antennas in allowable areas. The FCC ruled that landlords do not have the right to forbid installation, maintenance, or use of a dish satellite to receive video satellite broadcasting such as satellite TV.

Under the FCC guidelines, Renters are permitted a dish antenna in exclusive areas specifically to be used by the tenant, but not in common areas. Renters are allowed to install dish TV in their own exclusive areas such as their balcony, patio, or other areas that they have exclusive access to use. Tenants are not allowed to use satellite dish antennas in common areas that are generally used by other renters such as shared balconies, patios, and roof decks.

For single family homes and leasehold properties, satellite TV may be installed in areas that are part of the leased property which includes inside or outdoor areas. A Satellite dish may be installed upon the home itself or other leasehold property such as outdoor gardens, patios, yards, or other areas accessible to leaseholder’s exclusive use. For apartment buildings, satellite dishes are not allowed to be used in common areas such as roofs, exterior walls, or other areas available to other renters. In this case renters may install a dish inside or on their balcony.

2. Satellite Dish TV Restrictions

• Size of a satellite dish - The size of the satellite dish antennas must be one meter or less (39.7”) in diameter. The standard 18" and 20" dish antennas from dish network and DirecTV comply with this rule.

• Safety restrictions - There are safety regulations for a satellite dish being on a fire escape or violating any fire or safety codes. Satellite dish antennas are to be a certain distance away from any power lines.

• Historic preservation - Satellite dishes are restricted from historic site that have a prehistoric or historic district and are registered in the National Registers of Historic Places.

• Damage restrictions - There are restrictions for having a dish satellite necessary to prevent property damage such as drilling holes to exterior walls or roofs. Check with installer for installing without holes.

3. Satellite TV Home Compatibility

Outdoors are recommended to receive the clearest reception. If you are a renter who does not have access to outdoor areas, you may still use a satellite dish television indoors near a window or on a balcony facing southern skies. In order for you to receive satellite TV broadcast signals, the dish satellite must be placed facing view of southern exposure that is not hindered from any large trees, buildings, or other prominent object that may prevent and diminish quality of satellite broadcasting.

If you are a tenant who doesn’t have access to southern skies, you can talk to your landlord to workout finding a place to install your satellite dish. When installing in common areas, you will need to obtain consent from landlord. If you do have such an area to install satellite television, the landlords may not charge extra rent, fees, or make you sign a satellite dish addendum mid-lease to have a satellite dish TV.

4. Satellite Dish Installation

Most satellite dish providers offer free professional installation. So you won’t have to worry about mounting the dish. You can use a clamp or a tripod so that you do not make any holes in exterior walls. Tripods should be set up in areas that are not in high traffic environment of walking or people bumping into it. The antennas are sensitive to any movement that may disrupt your reception signal which you would have to relocate and reposition tripod to catch satellite signal again.

5. Satellite TV Reception

To make sure you get the clearest picture quality, connect the receiver directly to the TV and not to the VCR/DVR to receiver. Once your satellite dish is in a secure place of any movement and in a clear view of southern exposure; rain, snow or wind won’t usually affect or prevent the dish antenna reception signal.