QUESTION: Our
association has a bulk
account with Comcast. We have owners who are thousands of dollars behind in
their dues. If a
deadbeat owner has his unit rented, can we disconnect
the tenant's cable TV?
ANSWER:
Yes, you can suspend the tenant’s services. The tenant may be paying
rent to the owner and expecting full service, but he is not entitled to those
services if the owner is delinquent. If the tenant
is unhappy about his loss of cable TV, he can take it up with the owner.
Some cable companies use outmoded technology
and may not be able to cut off services for cable customer who
purchase services in addition to the basic cable purchased through the HOA bulk
contract, e.g., internet, premium channels, or phone. If so,boards have two options: (i) have the cable company
turn off ALL service to the individual until he/she brings the account current
with the association, or (ii) move the association's cable services to a company willing to work with the association.
According to reports we've received from
associations, Time Warner has the technology and is willing to work with boards to suspend services. Comcast does
not have the technology and/or is unwilling to work with associations to turn off services to delinquent owners. Accordingly, associations using Comcast may wish to contact Time Warner and other competitors to Comcast.
ASSISTANCE: Associations needing legal assistance can
contact us.
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