two weeks ago the cable company dug a huge hole in my backyard, saying they'd be back after midnight that night to do some work on the main line. Four days later, we get a note saying they tried to do the work, but our gate was locked and they'd be back THAT night to do the job. We unlocked the gate right away and have kept it unlocked. That was almost a week and a half. We called several times and each time they told us there was a work order in the system for someone to come do the work that day. Finally yesterday somebody showed up to fill in the hole they dug, realized nobody ever worked on the mail line and said the cable company would come back that night to work on it. Suprise, suprise, nobody ever came. I called the cable company today and they said, guess what, there's a work order in the system for someone to come out and do the work today. Then she basically told me that the cable company had the right to put as many holes in my yard as they wanted and that they can take as long as they want to do this work, because it's an easement. This can't be right. I have two little girls who love to play in the backyard, but cannot because I am afraid they'd fall into that hole and get seriously injured or be killed! The cable company's answer to that is "well that's why we put the caution tape around the hole." Hmmmm.... large bright neon orange plastic ribbons.... yeah that will keep my one and three year olds away. Morons! Does anyone know about utility easements and rights of homeowners in Oklahoma???

Q: Does anyone know about utility easements and rights of homeowners in Oklahoma?

A: Yes, they have a right to dig holes if there is an easement for that. Now, of course, they are being unreasonable.

I don't know who regulates cable companies in Oklahoma.

http://www.occ.state.ok.us/

Ask those folks if they regulate cable. If so, make a complaint with them.

If not, contact these folks:

http://www.oag.state.ok.us/



Will it do any good? I doubt it. Cable companies pretty much run roughshod over everyone.

I doubt that your television station would even care since it is too common to be news.

why would your 1 and 3 yr old be playing in the yard with no supervision?????? There is an easement for all utilities. They can do anything they want to with it- it's not really your property. Call them again and tell them you will be placing a board over the hole to prevent anyone from falling in and getting hurt and that is it. And my hubby works for the cable co and I can promise they work hard (at least here they do) and have to put up with a lot of crap. why anyone MUST have cable at 2am when someone could come the next morning is beyond me, but everyone complains about the cable company and the prices they need to remember that they are paying to get that guy out of bed in the middle of the night cause they can't watch tv.

Thanks SeniorJudge, I'll try that. And Milspecgirl, I appreciate you defending your husband's job and all, and I am sure that he does have to put up with a lot of crap from people, but this isn't just some frivilous complaint about not having cable (our cable works just fine). This is a ligitimate complaint. For two weeks, I've had a huge hole in my yard right where my children play. And of course they aren't left alone out there!!! But what happens when we're playing outside, and one of my girls falls down and hurts herself and while my attention is on her, the other one wanders over to the hole and falls in and gets hurt?
I can't understand how anyone has the right to tear up a person's yard and then leave it that way until they decide they can finally get around to fixing it. If they don't come tonight, can I fill in the hole myself (they don't work friday or saturdays)???

The only thing you can do is check the deed to your home and see if they actually do have an easement.

Even with an easement, they are not supposed to leave an open hole or other equipment that local children could play on and get hurt with. You can try googling the "open and obvious" rules which state what kind of dangers are allowed to exist in a homeowner's or business's yard. Most of the time, all dangerous situations should be covered, fenced, clearly marked as much as prudently possibly.

i don't understand why you wouldn't put something over it to cover it up. I agree they need to fix it and you will have to get hold of a supervisor and raise "heck" to get it fixed. Call the cust serv line and demand to speak to a supervisor about your problem. Keep working your way up. I have never seen a home deed that does not have easements built into it. It allows utilities to come back there and work on things without having to get permission- it is just part of the process of living in a place with these types of utilities. They have done what they legally are required to do- which is mark it off. For my own personal sake, I would put a board over it just to be cautious.

Thanks for the responses so far....
I'm in the process of trying to figure out where the deed is (military husband, currently gone), but I'm pretty sure there is an easement. And I don't have a problem with that. It's an easement, they have the right to work there. Completely understand that. Where I have a problem is that 15 days ago they dug a 3 foot deep hole in my yard, and left it there - uncovered, but marked with caution tape (which is blowing everywhich way in the wind). And nobody in the cable company seems to know anything about it, except that oh somebody is supposed to come out today (EVERY SINGLE TIME I HAVE CALLED).
Milspecgirl, I don't have a board to cover the hole with (the hole is 3 1/2 feet wide), and every supervisor I've spoken with tells me it's an easement and they can do whatever they want with it. AND, I'm sure your husband is a good man and doesn't fall into the category of idiots I've been dealing with, and we honestly do appreciate those at the cable company who are good hardworking people (like your husband) and please tell him how grateful we are for everything he does.

thanks again!

hmmmmm- around here when you call a supervisor and really get nasty- they have someone out there quick. I think I would be so mad, I would call and tell them that i just fell in it and broke my leg. Something to get their attention. The other option I would suggest is buying some dirt and filling it yourself or going to Lowe's and buying a piece of board to put over it. At least it keeps anyone from being hurt. Keep calling and asking for more supervisors. Ask for the district supervisor, but as long as its an easement. The other thing to do is call your local councilman or mayor. Stir up a huge stink until they fix it- as I tell ppl, the squeaky wheel gets the grease and when you have way more work than they will let you hire ppl for, you have to do the ones that demand the most attention- make yours one of those

I would fill it up everytime they dig one up and then claim not to know anything about it. Sooner or later they will decide to complete the job in a single day. :D

tell them you'll get someone right out to work on it.