Info for Satellite Install on Condo - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

meadows · 2003-09-08, 06:01 PM

I would like to install a dish on my balcony of my condo, however, the condo board says that there are to be no satellites installed on their building. Is there any rulings in canada that allow you to disregard the condo boards decision, and if so, could links be provided to this information.

A friend of mine says that the owner has the right to his own space, which is what the FCC has ruled in the states, but not sure in Canada. He also works for Shaw in which he says that he is now allowed to install cable on the outside of condos, apartments and any other MDU without letter of permissions from the boards.

So, any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks

57 · 2003-09-08, 06:09 PM

I would find a way to place the dish "out of view" on the balcony. The external part of the Condo is "common element" and you will get hassled if you put it there without permission.

phobus · 2003-09-08, 06:18 PM

Thats what i did! BEV are taking their sweet time to upgrade the central dish on my building, so in order to get HDTV, I disguised a dish (it looks like a bush) and put it on the balcony.

seanofnine · 2003-09-10, 06:10 PM

You probably have a condo agreement that was adopted by your board of directors. These are pretty standard rules and always include a clause about placing devices (like satellite dishes) on balconies, common areas, etc. This is what I have at my condo so no personal satellite dishes allowed.

I am actually on the board of directors for my condo and have been trying to get Bell Express Vu to install their service for us. They have a Multiple Dwelling Unit (MDU) service where they install one common dish (usually on the roof) and run the cable down to the main control box. Then to get their service they just use the existing cable lines in your building (they must pay the existing cable company a fee to use their lines).

Have you asked your condo board about getting Bell under an MDU?

Now the problem (at least in Quebec) is that Bell won't install any new MDUs right now. I get some bogus general answer about them not doing any new installations right now. I was told by someone else that Videotron wants more money for using their cable lines. So there is some court case going on and until its settled Bell cannot install any new MDUs.

StreetPreacher · 2004-07-06, 03:48 PM

I am just about to move into a 'condominium' townhouse complex, and REALLY want to bring my dish (HDTV is not offered in the area via cable, and no firm date is set for when it will be available.

I asked my future landlord (the owner of the unit) whether satellite dish installation would be allowed, and they have told me that there is nothing currently in the rules that specifically states that I can't put one up.

No mention of attaching things to the building either, as far as we can see.

My plan is to put a non-penetrating roof mount on the back side of the roof, so that that I can get a view of the satellite over the peak. As far as I can tell, this wil cause no damage to the property, and will not be visible to anyone.

What are my chances of starting a war in my first week as a new tenant?

I know this is an old thread, but if seanofnine is still around, how do you think your board would react?

I was thinking of using something like this, paint everything shingle colour, and the camoflouge should be pretty good.

http://www.vincor.tv/domains/bairdmo...18rm_specs.PDF

ken0042 · 2004-07-06, 05:42 PM

When I moved into my condo they had a fit because the pole it was on (it wasn't allowed to be attached to the unit) was a foot too high; and you could see the peak of the dish over the fence. I had to take a hack saw to the pole to shorten it, because by that point the ground was frozen and the pole wouldn't come out of the ground.

I think BEV has spent too much time chasing pirates rather than focusing on increasing it's customer base. Rather than lobbying the federal gov't to make paid US systems illegal, why not pressure them to forbid condo boards from preventing the installation of a dish?

But with your idea, StreetPreacher, I would just be concerned that if it isn't bolted into the roof, a strong wind could send your dish flying.

peano · 2004-07-06, 08:07 PM

Ask for and be sure to read the Declaration and Rules and Regulations for the Condo before you move in. Provisions to ban satellite dishes are usually in the Rules and Regulations which are easier to ammend than the Declaration. If it is a Freehold/Condo there should be no problem. A normal Condominium may prove a little more difficult, but all you have to do is make a motion at the AGM, get a seconder and a majority vote and you can change the rule.

StreetPreacher · 2004-07-06, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

But with your idea, StreetPreacher, I would just be concerned that if it isn't bolted into the roof, a strong wind could send your dish flying.

Thanks for the input guys, I appreciate the personal experiences.

The landlord/owner said to just toss it up and see what happens, but with all of the busy bodies that usually seem to live in these complexes, it'll probably be down before it's pointed...

I'll let you know how it ends up, moving sucks!

plutoz · 2004-07-07, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

I think BEV has spent too much time chasing pirates rather than focusing on increasing it's customer base. Rather than lobbying the federal gov't to make paid US systems illegal, why not pressure them to forbid condo boards from preventing the installation of a dish?

I'm sure the cableco's pay condo board members and/or rental property owners to forbid dish installations.

In my rental townhouse that I moved from last year, it was mentioned in the lease papers no satellite dishes. I mounted mine to a cinder block and put another cinder block on either side of it and sat it in the flat section of the roof between the peaks - pretty much invisible and it was plenty solid - didn't blow oever once.

After I moved out I noticed the new tenants had installed a MASSIVE dish to receive some foreign language programming I believe (FTA?) so I guess the property manager didn't care too much after all

coryl28 · 2004-07-07, 09:29 PM

The CRTC (the Canadian equivalent of the FCC) states that everyone is allowed to make their own choice as to who provides their cable/satellite service. Although there usually are certain "rules" such as not being allowed to mount the dish to the building etc. Those are set by the condo itself.

It is illegal for the condo board to stop you from having a dish. I would seriously fight this one if I were you...

ken0042 · 2004-07-08, 10:15 AM

Are you sure about that, Coryl? I can't find anything about that on the CRTC site, and my Google search couldn't find anything to support it; in fact there were some opposite statements.

http://www2.jurock.com/askexpert/answer.asp?id=1418

coryl28 · 2004-07-24, 06:07 PM

Hmmm....I read that somewhere before and you'd think that I'd be able to find it again. This is about the closest I could find on the CRTC website:

In the Commission's view, market forces should be relied on, wherever possible, to achieve the goal of customer choice. In this regard, the Commission notes the view of certain parties during the oral phase of the public hearing that it is in the clear interest of building owners to be receptive to the needs of their residents. Where competition can bring better prices and quality to individual tenants, the Commission expects that building owners will act in response to their residents' wishes. Accordingly, the Commission does not intend to mandate direct access to subscribers in the manner proposed by Rogers. Building owners and distributors, however, are encouraged to cooperate with a view to providing subscribers with the greatest possible degree of choice.

I understand the above to be more of a "suggestive" role for landlords rather than a straight forward law/rule. That's about the best I could find for now...sorry.

GaryE · 2004-07-24, 08:15 PM

My building is the same way... cannot drill holes and put up a satellite dish. Got around this by installing the dish on a heavy patio stone and sit it ontop of a metal garbage can and shove that in the corner of my balcony. Have had no trouble from the landlord or any problem with wind moving it around. Also used a "flat coaxial" cable to go under the balcony door since I could not drill holes through the wall or framing.

WGubbe · 2004-07-25, 10:50 AM

Gary,
What is flat coaxial cable and where do you find it?
Coaxial by definition must be round!
Bill

ken0042 · 2004-07-25, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WGubbe

Gary,
What is flat coaxial cable and where do you find it?
Coaxial by definition must be round!
Bill

They sell it at Radio Shack and Bell World. It's only about 6 inches long; just long enough to go through a window frame.

2003-09-08, 06:01 PM	#1
meadows Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 2	Info for Satellite Install on Condo I would like to install a dish on my balcony of my condo, however, the condo board says that there are to be no satellites installed on their building. Is there any rulings in canada that allow you to disregard the condo boards decision, and if so, could links be provided to this information. A friend of mine says that the owner has the right to his own space, which is what the FCC has ruled in the states, but not sure in Canada. He also works for Shaw in which he says that he is now allowed to install cable on the outside of condos, apartments and any other MDU without letter of permissions from the boards. So, any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks

2003-09-08, 06:09 PM	#2
57 Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Rogers, 8300HD, eHDD, Panasonic TCP65S1, Denon AVR4310Ci; 8300HD, eHDD & Sony KDL40W3000 Posts: 50,301	I would find a way to place the dish "out of view" on the balcony. The external part of the Condo is "common element" and you will get hassled if you put it there without permission. __________________ 57's Home Theatre (Latest equipment & photos) 57's Optimization Services (Home Theatre Optimization)

2004-07-24, 08:15 PM	#13
GaryE Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: OTTAWA Posts: 1,422	My building is the same way... cannot drill holes and put up a satellite dish. Got around this by installing the dish on a heavy patio stone and sit it ontop of a metal garbage can and shove that in the corner of my balcony. Have had no trouble from the landlord or any problem with wind moving it around. Also used a "flat coaxial" cable to go under the balcony door since I could not drill holes through the wall or framing. __________________ ~Gary Shaw Direct 630 HD/PVR \| WD My Book AV eHDD \| Sharp Aquos 46" 120Hz LCD TV \| Watch me LIVE!

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2003-09-08, 06:18 PM	#3
phobus Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 13	Thats what i did! BEV are taking their sweet time to upgrade the central dish on my building, so in order to get HDTV, I disguised a dish (it looks like a bush) and put it on the balcony.

2003-09-10, 06:10 PM	#4
seanofnine Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Montreal Posts: 106	You probably have a condo agreement that was adopted by your board of directors. These are pretty standard rules and always include a clause about placing devices (like satellite dishes) on balconies, common areas, etc. This is what I have at my condo so no personal satellite dishes allowed. I am actually on the board of directors for my condo and have been trying to get Bell Express Vu to install their service for us. They have a Multiple Dwelling Unit (MDU) service where they install one common dish (usually on the roof) and run the cable down to the main control box. Then to get their service they just use the existing cable lines in your building (they must pay the existing cable company a fee to use their lines). Have you asked your condo board about getting Bell under an MDU? Now the problem (at least in Quebec) is that Bell won't install any new MDUs right now. I get some bogus general answer about them not doing any new installations right now. I was told by someone else that Videotron wants more money for using their cable lines. So there is some court case going on and until its settled Bell cannot install any new MDUs.

2004-07-06, 03:48 PM	#5
StreetPreacher Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Hamilton, ON Posts: 554	I am just about to move into a 'condominium' townhouse complex, and REALLY want to bring my dish (HDTV is not offered in the area via cable, and no firm date is set for when it will be available. I asked my future landlord (the owner of the unit) whether satellite dish installation would be allowed, and they have told me that there is nothing currently in the rules that specifically states that I can't put one up. No mention of attaching things to the building either, as far as we can see. My plan is to put a non-penetrating roof mount on the back side of the roof, so that that I can get a view of the satellite over the peak. As far as I can tell, this wil cause no damage to the property, and will not be visible to anyone. What are my chances of starting a war in my first week as a new tenant? I know this is an old thread, but if seanofnine is still around, how do you think your board would react? I was thinking of using something like this, paint everything shingle colour, and the camoflouge should be pretty good. http://www.vincor.tv/domains/bairdmo...18rm_specs.PDF

2004-07-06, 05:42 PM	#6
ken0042 Premium Supporter Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Calgary Posts: 3,896	When I moved into my condo they had a fit because the pole it was on (it wasn't allowed to be attached to the unit) was a foot too high; and you could see the peak of the dish over the fence. I had to take a hack saw to the pole to shorten it, because by that point the ground was frozen and the pole wouldn't come out of the ground. I think BEV has spent too much time chasing pirates rather than focusing on increasing it's customer base. Rather than lobbying the federal gov't to make paid US systems illegal, why not pressure them to forbid condo boards from preventing the installation of a dish? But with your idea, StreetPreacher, I would just be concerned that if it isn't bolted into the roof, a strong wind could send your dish flying.

2004-07-06, 08:07 PM	#7
peano Veteran Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 3,586	Ask for and be sure to read the Declaration and Rules and Regulations for the Condo before you move in. Provisions to ban satellite dishes are usually in the Rules and Regulations which are easier to ammend than the Declaration. If it is a Freehold/Condo there should be no problem. A normal Condominium may prove a little more difficult, but all you have to do is make a motion at the AGM, get a seconder and a majority vote and you can change the rule.

2004-07-07, 09:29 PM	#10
coryl28 Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 168	The CRTC (the Canadian equivalent of the FCC) states that everyone is allowed to make their own choice as to who provides their cable/satellite service. Although there usually are certain "rules" such as not being allowed to mount the dish to the building etc. Those are set by the condo itself. It is illegal for the condo board to stop you from having a dish. I would seriously fight this one if I were you...

2004-07-08, 10:15 AM	#11
ken0042 Premium Supporter Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Calgary Posts: 3,896	Are you sure about that, Coryl? I can't find anything about that on the CRTC site, and my Google search couldn't find anything to support it; in fact there were some opposite statements. http://www2.jurock.com/askexpert/answer.asp?id=1418

2004-07-24, 06:07 PM	#12
coryl28 Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 168	Hmmm....I read that somewhere before and you'd think that I'd be able to find it again. This is about the closest I could find on the CRTC website: In the Commission's view, market forces should be relied on, wherever possible, to achieve the goal of customer choice. In this regard, the Commission notes the view of certain parties during the oral phase of the public hearing that it is in the clear interest of building owners to be receptive to the needs of their residents. Where competition can bring better prices and quality to individual tenants, the Commission expects that building owners will act in response to their residents' wishes. Accordingly, the Commission does not intend to mandate direct access to subscribers in the manner proposed by Rogers. Building owners and distributors, however, are encouraged to cooperate with a view to providing subscribers with the greatest possible degree of choice. I understand the above to be more of a "suggestive" role for landlords rather than a straight forward law/rule. That's about the best I could find for now...sorry.

2004-07-25, 10:50 AM	#14
WGubbe Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: St-Bruno, QC BEV 9242, Pio Pro 1140 Plasma HDTV, Pio VSX-56Txi avr, Pio DV-47Ai dvd , HDHR3 tuner Posts: 133	Gary, What is flat coaxial cable and where do you find it? Coaxial by definition must be round! Bill