Connecticut House Bill HB05119

Connecticut 2020 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/13/20
• Refer: 2/13/20

Caption

An Act Concerning The Removal Of Satellite Dishes On Rental Property.

Impact

The law is set to take effect on October 1, 2020, and will necessitate modifications to the way satellite dishes are managed in rental units. This could lead to a cleaner aesthetic in neighborhoods, as fewer unused dishes would remain attached to buildings. Landlords may also appreciate having advanced notice of installations, enabling them to maintain their properties more effectively. Additionally, this act gives landlords more control over the infrastructure installed on their properties, which could protect property value and appearance.

Summary

House Bill 05119 addresses the management of satellite dishes on rental properties by establishing requirements for their installation and removal. Specifically, the bill mandates that telecommunications companies notify landlords or property owners ten days prior to the installation of any satellite dish. Moreover, it requires these companies to check for any existing unused satellite dishes and remove at least one before installing a new dish. This legislation is aimed at reducing visual clutter and potential safety hazards associated with multiple satellite installations while ensuring property owners are informed and have a say in the installations on their properties.

Contention

Points of contention around HB 05119 may arise regarding the balance of power between tenants and landlords. While the bill promotes notification and removal of unused satellite dishes, some tenants may feel that the requirement for landlords to be notified might impede their access to desired services. There could be concerns that the bill might create friction in landlord-tenant relationships, especially if landlords are unresponsive or if tenants believe that this law could delay their ability to install necessary communication services. However, proponents might argue that the benefits of having orderly installations outweigh these potential issues.