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Is Cable "Bundling" Legal

S

SethK28

Golden Member
My g/f's apartment complex has 1 line feeding the whole thing, the reception is absolutely horrible. Several of the channels are not even watchable. Her rent is $590 to $35 for cable and $10 for alarm monitoring. She is going to ask the apt manager if she has to pay the $35 for cable, is it legal to make that a term of the lease. The cable co. wont do anything about the reception, nor will the complex. She wants to get DISH but cant afford to pay for both.
 
all the building needs to put in are line boosters (basically how a hub works). and taht should boost the signal enough to clarify the signal
 
Originally posted by: Kenazo
If they won't put in the boosters, she could probably buy one @ radio shack, or wherever.
Click to expand...
First thing I did was to buy a booster at radio shack, it did nothing.
 
The only thing I can think of to do is be persistent in complaining about it. Just be a thorn in their side, and maybe they'll eventually come out and fix it.
 
Originally posted by: SethK28
Originally posted by: Kenazo
If they won't put in the boosters, she could probably buy one @ radio shack, or wherever.
Click to expand...
First thing I did was to buy a booster at radio shack, it did nothing.
Click to expand...

then she's hooped. I doubt they'll let her opt out, but, I suppose you could argue that they are not delivering on an implied quality standard, and thus you shouldn't have to pay for the cable. But, if the market is tight where u are they might just say you're right and tell you to leave. 🙂 It's worth a try, right?
 
> is it legal to make that a term of the lease.
Probably, but if so then they have a legal responsibility to provide the service they are charging for, i.e. a usuable cable signal.

My cable bill lists the "Franchise Authority" that gives them the right to operate as being the city I live in, it's probably the same for you. Checking the city government pages in your phone book might get you a direct number for cable questions, or you can call the city government's general number and ask them for it.
 
My rent includes water and if my water is brown half the time, they are required to fix it.

I can't imagine it'd be much different for cable if they are making her pay for it.
 
Originally posted by: SethK28
Originally posted by: Kenazo
If they won't put in the boosters, she could probably buy one @ radio shack, or wherever.
Click to expand...
First thing I did was to buy a booster at radio shack, it did nothing.
Click to expand...



Where did you place the line booster? It needs to be immediately after entering the building, and preferably, prior to being split. If you put it in her appt. , the signal is most likely too far gone to be amplified.


-edit-


And Motorola makes a nice 15dB gain model.
 
Sounds like the signal is being split too much before it reaches your outlet. The amp must be placed immediately after the ground block coming in from the cable company, otherwise you will just be amplifing a bad signal/noise.

Cable FAQ
 
I know the Federal Communications Act requires each apartment complex to provide (or let) basic cable to all tenants. I'd ask a lawyer... there are a couple on ATOT. I am guessing she may have a chance as the cable provided by her apartment complex is crap... dunno. I may be all wrong.
 
Originally posted by: pulse8
My rent includes water and if my water is brown half the time, they are required to fix it.

I can't imagine it'd be much different for cable if they are making her pay for it.
Click to expand...
Agreed. This could be a problem with bad wiring in the ground, and if so could cost them a bundle. It will be tough to get them to comply, but see if anyone in here knows how to file formal complaints without getting a lawyer (if possible).
 
I'm pretty sure it's not illegal, and within reason. But that said, they have to comply within their own guidelines. IF they force her to pay for cable, they have to provide cable. If she complains enough about the quality being lower, and requesting either a) the 35 be removed everymonth or b) the quality gets better eventually i think they'll give her one. Likely it'll be a) as they won't take the effort to fix it...
 
Originally posted by: SethK28
Originally posted by: Kenazo
If they won't put in the boosters, she could probably buy one @ radio shack, or wherever.
Click to expand...
First thing I did was to buy a booster at radio shack, it did nothing.
Click to expand...

IIRC, the RS boosters only boost the signal by about 15dB. Get a booster from the cable company - they should give one to you for free and they should boost the signal by about 25dB. Big difference compared to the RS booster.

However, the landlord should take the $35 off the bill because of the crappy service. I'd fight it all the way.
 
I had a package deal with a lease of a previous apartment where cable was included in monthly payment. The "cable" was DirectTV split over 150 units, 4 rooms each. So basically one signal, 600 outlets, and there were amps everywhere. The picture was always had too much noise. I tried to fight the management to fix it, they said that's the best they can do.
 
Be aware that if the g/f is using a cable modem a booster may cause it to fall offline. But chances are if you're getting this bad of a reception there is no way you could get cable internet anyway.
 
Originally posted by: MBony
Be aware that if the g/f is using a cable modem a booster may cause it to fall offline. But chances are if you're getting this bad of a reception there is no way you could get cable internet anyway.
Click to expand...



Thats the strange thing, the connection I am using right now is cable and it is typically rock solid. I am guessing it is just the outlet in the living room that has problems.
 
Originally posted by: SethK28
Originally posted by: Kenazo
If they won't put in the boosters, she could probably buy one @ radio shack, or wherever.
Click to expand...
First thing I did was to buy a booster at radio shack, it did nothing.
Click to expand...

edit: I should have read the whole thread before posting this. Oh well.

You have to put the booster in *before* it's split off... otherwise, you're boosting the cable as well as "the static"
 
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