Is it illegal to charge a tenant one to get permission to have one installed?

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html

I can't really figure it out from reading that....

Q: What types of restrictions unreasonably delay or prevent viewers from using an antenna? Can an antenna user be required to obtain prior approval before installing his antenna?

A: A local restriction that prohibits all antennas would prevent viewers from receiving signals, and is prohibited by the Commission's rule. Procedural requirements can also unreasonably delay installation, maintenance or use of an antenna covered by this rule. For example, local regulations that require a person to obtain a permit or approval prior to installation create unreasonable delay and are generally prohibited. Permits or prior approval necessary to serve a legitimate safety or historic preservation purpose may be permissible. Although a simple notification process might be permissible, such a process cannot be used as a prior approval requirement and may not delay or increase the cost of installation. The burden is on the association to show that a notification process does not violate our rule.


would it be safe to say it is illegal since it is akin to a permit and creates a delay?

I'm confused. What is the deposit for?

for permission to have a dish/satellite installed... they want tenants to pay a deposit, why or for what I don't know....maybe in case the satellite damages their property? it just sounds a bit odd.

the management company has been wrong on various things thus far, such as trying to charge first AND last months rent AND a deposit, then saying they keep part of the deposit to pay for "professional carpet cleaning", both are illegal, they had no idea they had to pay interest on security deposits, they claimed they were not liable for making sure there was atleast ONE working telephone jack in the apartment... I figured it was probably just another thing they were wrong about, ugh I can't wait until I buy a house.

There is no law that says they cannot.

However, I'm not sure if you're saying that the management company is requiring this or the satellite dish company.

That FCC law pertains to what state and local government can do, not landlords.

Adding a satellite dish adds several costs and rights to the landlord:

- Usually a satellite dish requires a permanent mounting. This, because it is attached to real property, it becomes the property of the landlord. So the satellite company may charge the landlord (instead of the tenant) for the purchase of the dish.

- Mounting the dish and running the coax cable requires modifying the building. This is a cost to the landlord.

- If the tenant disappears, it might make the landlord liable for the remainder of the minimum term of service.