Landlord Waived Right to Object to Satellite Dish

LVT Number: 16622

Landlord sued to evict rent-stabilized tenant. Landlord claimed that tenant violated her lease by installing a satellite TV dish without landlord's consent. Tenant claimed that she attached the dish to a window guard in 1997, that landlord inspected the apartment, including the windows, annually, and that landlord didn't object. The court ruled against landlord and dismissed the case. Under a 1998 law, tenants could install satellite dishes without landlord's permission, as long as a balcony or other outdoor space was occupied.

Landlord sued to evict rent-stabilized tenant. Landlord claimed that tenant violated her lease by installing a satellite TV dish without landlord's consent. Tenant claimed that she attached the dish to a window guard in 1997, that landlord inspected the apartment, including the windows, annually, and that landlord didn't object. The court ruled against landlord and dismissed the case. Under a 1998 law, tenants could install satellite dishes without landlord's permission, as long as a balcony or other outdoor space was occupied. Generally, the installation of the dish on a window guard is an unauthorized installation on landlord's property. But in this case, landlord waived its right to object to the dish.

Urban Horizons Tax Credit Fund LP v. Zarick: NYLJ, 5/7/03, p. 22, col. 3 (Civ. Ct. Bronx; Rodriguez, J)