new TX renting cable required (apartment complex, rental, illegal, landlord)

[quentinl]

Dear Forum members,

I was looking through these forums and thought this would be a great place to get my question answered. I am moving apartments here in about a month and I found a great place that I can afford but one part of their contract is cable through TW. Normally I sit back and say whatever to somethings but I don't watch TV so this is forty dollars out the window for something I don't use. I saw that a few people said having this proviso in Texas is illegal and any help would be greatly appreciated.

[TKramar]

Being an apartment, you're probably automatically hooked to basic cable. Even though YOU don't want it, someone could hook their TV to the coax jack and get it. So it's not an "option".

[d4g4m]

If the apartment is part of an apartment building, with all units [the total building] owned by an individual or company, the TV service may or may not be provided as part of the rent. If not provided, you have to pay on your own. [you are not required to purchase it] If the apartment is part of a condo complex, most of the time the TV service [basic] is provided as part of the individual unit owners monthly maintenance fee. It's there whether you want it or not. Not using it will not reduce your rent.

[quentinl]

Ok thanks however last year I've been trying to research this through the FCC and last year they past a law that made it illegal for apartment complexes to have a monopoly with a cable company and in 1999 through telecom acts 621 and 628 if I wanted satellite service I can do so. Am I right on these points?

[d4g4m]

Apartment and condos must allow sat dishes, but if you're getting TV for free , why pay for it. If you're not getting TV for free and want a sat dish, management will only allow the sat dish mounted on your window or patio/balcony. The problem with that is they have to be facing south.

[ottomobeale]

Dish

5 gallon bucket + 1 bag of cement + treated 4x4 = handy satellite dish attachment device that your landlord cant do squat about because it is not attached.

Lotta the time its free cable for the owner or super if everyone goes with brand x cable and others are kept out.

[pitt_transplant]

Why not just talk to your LL about a 40 dollar reduction and explain the situation?

[texdav]

Find another apartment if you don't want what is included in the rent. Many apartments don't want add on cables run in their rental units.

[Las Vegas Mommy]

why dont you call your Public Utilities commission?
They would know better, and are up to date on any new laws
or provisions.
Even though it may not be something they handle, I bet you, you wouldnt be the
first perosn to call them.