Landlords Help page for Satellite TV Dish installs.

We have created a Landlord permission form for satellite installers by renters. This form is unlike the ones used by directv and dish which protect only the installer allowing him to do most anything he wants to modify the home. Never sign such a form.

This form protects the landlord while complying with the FCC zoning rules. It informs the installer how he is to install the dish to prevent damage to the property. If you rent any property you need to have a copy of this form to stop improper satellite installs like this one that some hack did on one of our rent houses.

In the above install without permission the DirecTv installer installed the dish on the roof on a rental the renter did not even live in and draped the wire across the roof.

Landlords you need to protect yourself from these incompetent installers that the satellite companies are now hiring. You can not have wires running across roofs because it prevents roofers from doing repairs. Wires can not run across driveways and be laying on the ground because it is a labiality problem and you can not allow any dishes on the roof.
The FCC allows you to select the location as long as its in a place that has line of site to the satellite.
You should read the rules here FCC rules
You can hire a local expert to find a good LOS you do not have to take the installers word for it. In fact I recommend you find a local dealer to find the best LOS for Dish and DTV so you will know if a installer is lying to you.
You should never sign a standard permission form given to you by the installer. It takes away all your rights. And the FCC does not require you to sign anything!

Download v1 of our landlords satellite install and instruction form.(v2 in process)

landlord satellite permission-form.pdf.

Official DirecTV drawing of pole mount.

FCC rules

Sample DirecTV rules

If you use this form please provide a comment here.

The FCC requires that you allow renters to install a satellite dish however you can set your own rules on how they are installed.

You can forbid any installs on your roof or building.

You can forbid running any new wires and require existing wiring. But existing wiring needs to be usable (RG6)

You an set rules on how you want wire run. Ie no wires on the roof or across the sidewalk

You can require the dish be installed in a area you select if it can receive a signal in that area.

If you have a multi dwelling FCC rules allow you to install 1 set of dishes to server the entire complex. (most use correct type of new Directv and Disn Network dishes contact your local dealer)

You can require that the renter remove everything and repair all holes when he moves out or pay a fine.

Satellite companies rules require the following of installers do not let them tell you different.
See DTv contract Here And many more on the net.

All wires over the ground must be burred.

All wires must be stapled with insulated staples or tied down with insulated clips nothing lose

They require grounding and all holes sealed

They do not allow poles to be driven in the ground with no cement (see this page from the official DirecTV contract)

Installers often work for contractors so that DirecTv and Dish Network can not be sued for damages. If you think you might have to take legal action then you need to get something with the contractors company name, sometimes its on the truck but sometimes its not. It will be on the work order that the customer signs. Installers will often lie to you and tell you they work for DirecTv or Dish Network this is a bad sign it tells you they dont want you to know what company they work for.

Also in many states installers are required to have a Electricians low voltage license for every city he works in. In such cases the local law will also require the installer to give you that license#. Contact your local city council or see neca-neis.org to see if a low voltage license for satellite installers is required in your area. If its required you can forbid unlicensed installers.

Duplex and apartment owners need to know that one dish can run more than 1 unit. It is not necessary for the installer to install 2 dishes on a duplex if they are the same brand, one dish can run 2 apartments. In fact 1 dish can run many apartments with the proper switch connected to it. You can ask the installer to connect to the existing dish.

Author has been a Satellite install contractor for all the major companies DTV,DISH,VOOM,SEARS,RADIOSHACK and others. Installed C band systems. Maintained headend sites and dishes for cable companies. A licensed Radio Tv technician. In business since the 1980s.