Let’s get straight to it. It’s pretty simple, actually.
You have the right to put up any antenna or dish smaller than 1 meter (39″) in any dimension, in your private area, whether or not the HOA can see it. Period. It’s called the Over-The-Air Reception Devices rule (OTARD) and the FCC passed to make sure that you were protected from HOA and condo board abuse.
A couple of details
If you own your home then you have the absolute right to put up that small antenna anywhere on the house and to drill holes to your heart’s content. There are no restrictions to that at all.
If you share a wall or part of your dwelling is considered common property (like in a condo if the roof is shared) then you have to get permission to drill but there is nothing from stopping you using strap-on mounts.
If you rent you can still put an antenna on your patio or any space that no one else can get to, but you have to ask permission to drill holes. A tripod mount and some bricks will do a great job getting that antenna ready for you.
What if they don’t believe you?
If the HOA or condo board doesn’t believe you, there are some things you can do. The first would be to show them this web page, which clearly details the facts. Tell them to go on the internet and google “OTARD.” They’ll find plenty of resources including this article. If none of those things work, you have the right to file a complaint with the FCC and with local authorities.
Before going full-tilt, though, what is the HOA asking? Are they simply asking you move the antenna slightly? Will that affect its performance? Are they asking that you have it completely inside your common area? They have the right to do that. Start by working with them but be prepared to pull out the big guns.
With some careful application of common sense, and with the proper documents (from the web pages above) it shouldn’t be too hard to convince the HOA that you’re right and they’re wrong.
Get the antenna you need from Solid Signal
Solid Signal has all the best brands at the best prices. Take a look for yourself! You won’t find a better selection of quality antennas anywhere. Sure, Amazon has hundreds more, but they’re not top quality antennas. I understand not wanting to spend too much. I really do. But it’s also very easy to spend too little and waste your money on something that won’t work.
If you’re not sure what to buy, get a free consultation! Call us at 888-233-7563. We’ll work it all out scientifically and send you a no-obligation recommendation. It’s worth a few minutes of your time. Call, or if it’s after business hours, fill out the form below. We’ll be happy to get back to you over phone or email, at a time of your choosing.
