Tenant wants DirectTV dish installed on the roof, Should I allow?

Question

Hello guys,

My tenants wants to have Directv, but when the contractor went to the property, they said the only way to install it would be on the shingles using a tripod type setting for support. I am concerned about damage to the roof and possible leaks in the future.

There is another antenna, that belongs to Dish, and is still there on the corner of the roof installed with a clamp. It would be ideal to have them just install it where that dish is, but they say they need to be installed on the roof.

What should I do about this? Suggestions please?

Thanks

Alan Russell · Answer

according to FCC regulations you can not tell them they can not have the DISH antenna however, you can require they install it in a way that will not cause damage to your property.  Holes in the shingles qualify as damage.  You can require specific locations (such as the existing pole) as long as it will not affect reception.

If you go on the FCC website they have a paper with all the specific rules and regulations.

Ed Mayor · Answer

thanks for the replies!!!

I told the tenant that when she requests the installation again, they must use the spot of the old dish antenna, which already has all the cabling going inside. They would have to remove the old antenna, but that should be easy since it is on the end of the gutter on a wooden beam. If they refuse because they want to charge for the removal of that old antenna, then I will tell my tenant to pay for it. I will suggest the pole as well.

What plays against me is that when the the contractor went, he looked at the house next door which is the same style as mine and they had the dish installed on the roof in the same way they wanted to do on mine. Kind of like, they did it, so it is fine to do it here and you are just being a picky landlord.

Anyways, thanks for the re assurance, since I thought I was being a jerk.

Thanks

Jon H. · Answer

@Ed Mayor  Mount it on a pole!

Dawn Anastasi · Answer

Don't allow installation on the roof.  That compromises the roof as you are putting holes in it.  It can be installed on a pole.

Daria B. · Answer

@Ed Mayor

Installing on the roof will surely affect the integrity of the roof. I've looked at several homes for sale whose owners allowed the satellite to be installed on the roof and all of them either have some kind of hole or is deteriorated around the install. I think some with the hole was probably due to a former dish install and then removed and the roof was not properly fixed.

Daria B. · Answer

@Ed Mayor

Installing on the roof will surely affect the integrity of the roof. I've looked at several homes for sale whose owners allowed the satellite to be installed on the roof and all of them either have some kind of hole or is deteriorated around the install. I think some with the hole was probably due to a former dish install and then removed and the roof was not properly fixed.

John Stovall · Answer

I require them to put it on a pole. I liked the idea above where the landlord found a place that works for everyone. I may do this also.

Angela Lee · Answer

Hello,

I have had to deal with that same issue. If you install it on the roof, there IS a great possibility it WILL cause issues with the warping or decaying of the roof. What I did was allow the company to install the satellite on the ground, at front door beside window. It also, has to be away from maintenance of cutting grass or snow removal. Tenants were happy with this decision, the reception was great! But, the only other thing you will encounter, when and tenants moves out, or a new tenant moves in, the Satellite company will not come back out and remove their equipment off your property!  They want to keep putting new ones in and not removing the old ones! LOL!!! Good luck

Hope this help you,

Angela Lee

Mike Nelson · Answer

I don't deal with Direct TV.  They installed a disc on the side of my porch three stories up, without my permission.   They say they refuse to remove it, it is not their policy to remove antennas.  That said, I have allowed cable and antenna installations in order to serve my tenants, with the understanding their methods of attachment may be less than ideal.