Has anyone requested approval for satellite installation in their condo?

[mirek]

I just got denied, even though there would be no physical mounting to the structure of the building and it would be no where in sight.

They did not give any reason as to why it was denied, however I am pretty sure it is due to the grudge the president has towards me.

Can I appeal this? What are my options? If I get a petition signed by owners in the condo (only about 25) can this be changed?

[hoob]

I just got denied, even though there would be no physical mounting to the structure of the building and it would be no where in sight.

They did not give any reason as to why it was denied, however I am pretty sure it is due to the grudge the president has towards me.

Can I appeal this? What are my options? If I get a petition signed by owners in the condo (only about 25) can this be changed?

Most newer condos have restrictions that only seasonal furniture (including plants) are allowed on the balcony, so it's not a matter of whether it's visible or not. If you really want the dish, you'll need to position it inside and aimed through a window.

And by all means, don't bolt it to the building, else you'll be charged for a repair AND the engineering site inspection to ensute you didn't damange anything fundamental or allow leakage.

[mirek]

Most newer condos have restrictions that only seasonal furniture (including plants) are allowed on the balcony, so it's not a matter of whether it's visible or not. If you really want the dish, you'll need to position it inside and aimed through a window.

And by all means, don't bolt it to the building, else you'll be charged for a repair AND the engineering site inspection to ensute you didn't damange anything fundamental or allow leakage.

It's a 54 year old 3 story walk up. The roof is accessible by stairs, and I requested to put it on the roof where it is away from view from everyone, also not visible from the ground. The satellite would have been mounted on a tripod by a professional, and secured to the ground by a cement tile. There would be absolutely no modification done to the building.

[ccubed]

It's a 54 year old 3 story walk up. The roof is accessible by stairs, and I requested to put it on the roof where it is away from view from everyone, also not visible from the ground. The satellite would have been mounted on a tripod by a professional, and secured to the ground by a cement tile. There would be absolutely no modification done to the building.

It really doesn't make any difference how you are mounting it. The basic rules of condo living are that all rules apply to all people. If they allow you to have a dish on the roof, they have to allow EVERYONE. If they allow everyone to have a satellite dish, then they have to allow EVERYONE to have a tv antenna, a clothesline, a storage shed.. well... you get the idea..

The one thing to remember about condo living is that you are in a shared common area living environment - and basically you have no rights to any 'common' area - which includes such areas as 'personal use common area' as your roof likely is.

Some condos go as far as to tell you what style and colour of window blinds you have to have - so the no-satellite rule is really an easy one to swallow!

Lesson learned to all: READ THE CONDO RULES BEFORE YOU BUY! Buying new? Be careful - the permanent board of directors aren't established yet, and when they are in year 2~3, you could see rules changing!

One last comment re. satellite dishes specifically. In the condo I was in, we didn't allow satellites because if we allowed one we had to allow everyone and it would look like crap with all these dishes sticking every which way off of every balcony. A friend was in a townhouse condo and their reasoning was because the dish would be mounted in a personal use common area (which is like your case). The rational? If the dish is mounted in a common area (even a personal use one), then the condo corporation and the board are responsible. If you are using the dish illegally, then they are ultimately responsible.

[Topher]

I was wondering the same thing. I'm thinking of going with a satellite dish, but I see our townhouse complex only has a couple of satellite dishes. One is on a second floor balcony railing, the other is mounted to the wall that separates a ground floor patio. I don't have either of those at my townhouse, so I was considering a dish mounted on a tripod on my back patio, but I know I need to look through the rules first. Any suggestions as to how to approach this? I want to make sure I do it properly. It probably won't happen until spring anyway, but I like to be prepared.

[fixer007]

It took me a few years to get dishes approved at the condo I used to live at. You can do a few things;

1. Bring it up at the next board meeting
2. Try and get on the board

In the end, our board ended up allowing dishes, but there were strict rules on how and where they could be mounted. Since the dishes could only be mounted in one place on the unit, the 'conformity' issue was not a factor.

Seriously, try and get on the condo board, it was the best thing I did when I was there.

[mirek]

It took me a few years to get dishes approved at the condo I used to live at. You can do a few things;

1. Bring it up at the next board meeting
2. Try and get on the board

In the end, our board ended up allowing dishes, but there were strict rules on how and where they could be mounted. Since the dishes could only be mounted in one place on the unit, the 'conformity' issue was not a factor.

Seriously, try and get on the condo board, it was the best thing I did when I was there.

Thanks, this is exactly what I am planning on doing. I am going to the meeting this Monday. I think it's time the council changed, they've had the same 3 people running the building for many many years.

[gman]

It's a 54 year old 3 story walk up. The roof is accessible by stairs, and I requested to put it on the roof where it is away from view from everyone, also not visible from the ground. The satellite would have been mounted on a tripod by a professional, and secured to the ground by a cement tile. There would be absolutely no modification done to the building.

You are trying to install something outside of your own unit. Am I right? If yes, I don't think any reasonable board will allow you to do that. You want to install something in a public area. The obvious answer is no.

[mirek]

You are trying to install something outside of your own unit. Am I right? If yes, I don't think any reasonable board will allow you to do that. You want to install something in a public area. The obvious answer is no.

How so, I see many other condo's in my area that have satellites on the "common" (not public) area.

I can install it on my own unit, out of my own windows if they want, but it will look horrendous having a satellite sitting on my window sill. So it's either ugly on the side of the building, or on the roof where it is not visible by anyone.

[glaswegian]

Hey....we all take chances in life, get a tripod and attach your dish to it, but only a 20" one for 91 and 82, and then hide it so it's not visible from the street.

Make it look like you have something stored there

[mirek]

Hey....we all take chances in life, get a tripod and attach your dish to it, but only a 20" one for 91 and 82, and then hide it so it's not visible from the street.

Make it look like you have something stored there

I'll get my dish up there one way or another

In the US there is a law prohibiting the prohibition of satellites, something about giving the resident a right to choose their provider, that saying no to satellites is discrimination. We need that here.

[gman]

How so, I see many other condo's in my area that have satellites on the "common" (not public) area.

That are not necessary a private dish for a particular unit. It can be a community dish that serves the building. That is the Bell (or whatever) installed that and the wire fit into building cable. That allows tenant to subscribe either cable or satellite.

The second situation can be the unit tenant rents the space to put the satellite. However, as I said, a reasonable board will not allow that (especially condo) because what if everyone wants to put a dish on the roof. You will have a messy roof with all the wire running around.

[Cheap Cat]

How so, I see many other condo's in my area that have satellites on the "common" (not public) area.

What other condos have is irrelevant. Each condo corporation has its own rules and you must abide by the rules of your condo.

I can install it on my own unit, out of my own windows if they want, but it will look horrendous having a satellite sitting on my window sill. So it's either ugly on the side of the building, or on the roof where it is not visible by anyone.

In all likelihood, there are rules prohibiting that as well since windows typically are part of the common elements. Read your declaration.

Satellite installation contrary to the rules will usually, in a well run condo, result in the corporation removing the offending satellite and billing you for it. Failure to pay the bill will result in a lien on your unit. I know that's what my corporation will do.

[Cheap Cat]

I was wondering the same thing. I'm thinking of going with a satellite dish, but I see our townhouse complex only has a couple of satellite dishes. One is on a second floor balcony railing, the other is mounted to the wall that separates a ground floor patio. I don't have either of those at my townhouse, so I was considering a dish mounted on a tripod on my back patio, but I know I need to look through the rules first. Any suggestions as to how to approach this? I want to make sure I do it properly. It probably won't happen until spring anyway, but I like to be prepared.

Don't go by what others are doing as they may not have gotten permission to install their satellites. Your condo rules should indicate whether satellites are allowed and the process for seeking approval. Typically you write to the board outlining where you plan to install the dish including diagrams if necessary and ask for permission. If approved, keep a copy of their written permission in case anyone questions the installation in the future.

[mirek]

Satellite installation contrary to the rules will usually, in a well run condo, result in the corporation removing the offending satellite and billing you for it. Failure to pay the bill will result in a lien on your unit. I know that's what my corporation will do.

They most definitely can NOT come into my house and remove my satellite from inside my house.