Can I Refuse Fiber Internet Installation?

You may not have a choice in the matter. Just because someone tells you that your unit can be skipped, they are not the installer and don't know the layout where the FO will be installed. You already granted an easement to the HOA and utilities via your property deed.

Wow ,.. just be a good neighbor.

Benefit of the doubt, huh?

So what about future owners of your unit? How do you think it will come off to say "Only unit without Fiber internet"! It's NOT about you in a HOA it's about ALL neighbors and future potential buyers of your home. Suck it up buttercup...

Sounds like there's a lot more to your overall story than this immediate fiber decision. That said, this decision appears to be entirely yours to make . . . you just need to take this decision on it's own, put pride aside for a minute, weigh the pros and cons, and make the best choice for you, your home, your neighbors, and potential future owners.

If you truly don't want fiber installed, don't care that there's a very minor possibility of it slightly impacting your property values, and company says skipping your unit won't add cost or impact others, then I think you've got what you need. Get the company's input in official writing. Simply inform the Board that you're not getting the fiber and have already researched that it will not add cost (supply your evidence); therefore, there should be no fine to be concerned about. If no added cost, what grounds do they have to fine you?

Some other posters tend to be overly dramatic. I'm sure when you sell your unit, you aren't going to advertise it as "only unit without fiber internet". Only when someone buys your unit will they realize it's the only unit like that and they'll be stuck with the decision of installing or not on their dime (but, perhaps you'd be a better person and feel better overall with the sale if you installed anyway for future owner benefit). If your home and another are for sale simultaneously, then they can advertise fiber but you cannot. In this way it may slightly impact your value or ability to sell before other unit.

Perhaps there is a way for the fiber to be run to the approx installation location without anyone having to enter your unit. You and future owners would benefit from knowing that the fiber is behind the wall if it ever needs to be tapped into. Cheaper to partially install now than be the only one later to install.

If you do decide to install, I don't see why anyone other than the installers would require access to your unit. If HOA members insist on access, politely inform them they are not permitted in your unit . . . there should be no issue denying them access in my opinion. I don't see installation taking more than a couple hours to half a day. You'd just have to be physically present yourself to control access and monitor people in your home.

I'm assuming we're talking about condos.

Who owns the interior of the walls, the OP or the association? Condo owners typically own from the drywall in, with the "guts" of the building inside the walls belonging to the association. The OP needs to read his governing docs and see who owns what - this will tell him who decides if the fiber optic wire is being installed or not.

Many people including myself base the decision to buy a house on its internet connectivity. If there is no cell service in the area, no high speed internet, its not even considered. Yes, I've looked at houses like that in rural areas and many of my friends. Only option was satellite or dialup. I did my homework BEFORE buying the house.



Typically that is not how fiber is installed especially on small buildings. You dont simply tap into it. A new fiber line is run for all three units from the pole to the building. Three units, three fiber lines. And they are typically not going to run a dead line with no account associated with it.

You won the "war" by having the HOA agree with your vision for fiber optic internet access. I would allow the upgrade and keep my home up to modern standard, especially since crews will be on-site anyway. By doing so, your vision is proven to be a success.

Forget the petty back n' forth with an HOA board. Many times, HOA boards are filled w/ well-intended volunteers who are incompetent in property management matters and vision.