If I live in an apartment building, can my landlord stop me from getting cable TV, a satellite dish or an antenna?
Generally, no. Your landlord can only refuse to allow these installations if they have "good cause" to deny that particular company. "Good cause" could be:
• if that company has broken agreements with the landlord before
• if that company has damaged the building before and has not fixed it
• some similar valid complaint against that company
Maine Law
Maine has detailed laws about how cable TV companies and landlords must deal with each other. You can read this law online.
Federal Rules
The Federal Communication Commission also has rules allowing tenants to have small dishes (one meter or less in diameter) and certain types of "customer-end" antennas. But you must have "exclusive use" of the area where you install the dish or antenna, such as a balcony (not common areas, like the roof of an apartment building, unless your landlord allows it).
More information from the FCC. If you still have questions, contact Pine Tree Legal.
September, 2017