Who's resonsible for the cable distribution boxes?

Lori,
My last community in Ca. was paid a fee to allow them to have the cabling right of way in our HOA. I am not sure why Comcast would say what you have heard. I worked for Mom Bell for many years, and it is a felony for anyone other than a Telephone technician or contractor to access their boxes. I am not up for the Cable rules but would assume they are similar. The boxes these connections are made of are very specific and also are semi secure meaning you need a special tool to gain access.

I doubt that they would want to allow any HOA/POA to be able to install their own boxes over the company's equipment. I have been retired for a few years, and I know that many companies are trying to get out of the inside wiring of buildings but he outside infostructure is too important for unskilled workers to have access. I would ask again and get it in writing.

Cable industry can be quite a bit shocking. Comcast happens to be one of the worst. If I recall, they somehow are able to skirt a few laws due to how they are set up as a company. They tend to hire 3rd party contractors to do the actual work. Which maybe something should look into as a possibility. Hire your own sub-contractor.

However, keep in mind when one asks the HOA to pay for something... That means they want EVERY owner to pay for it. It is an expense that should be effecting a majority of owners. A HOA is ONLY funded by it's members for it's members. If the HOA is responsible for cable, then I would consider it a HOA expense. Have a special assessment if do not have enough money. Otherwise, if it was an individual service, then would have the individual be responsible to a point. I would want an inspection or approval process in place.

So is this something you all think that if you want cable it is on you or if want the HOA to pay for cable as part of it' dues, then it's on the HOA to pay.

I wrote about this too soon. We received the contract yesterday with all the pages (before it was just the offer sheet). It defines who is responsible. I spoke with the sales rep and they won't commit to fixing our boxes. The VP has to approve. We won't be signing the contract until there is a commitment from them to this repair work.

1. Wiring.
(a) Definitions.
i. “Distribution System” consists of all facilities, equipment or devices that are installed by Company to transmit the Services from the public right of way to the Terminal, and may include, but not be limited to, distribution cables, amplifiers, pedestals, lock boxes, passive and electronic devices and other equipment. It shall also include any other facilities, equipment or devices installed by Company, other than the Inside Wiring, and used by Company in the provision of Services.
ii. “Inside Wiring” consists of the wiring running from the Terminal into the unit as necessary to provide the Services throughout the unit.
iii. “System” consists of the Distribution System and Inside Wiring.
iv. “Terminal” mean the ground block or other connection terminal located at each unit on the Property.

And this:

(e) Use and Maintenance of Wiring. Customer grants Company the exclusive right to operate and use the Distribution System. The Customer shall not, and shall not permit any third party to, tap into, use, or otherwise interfere with the Distribution System. At its expense, Company shall maintain, repair and replace the Distribution System as necessary to provide the Services. The installation, use, and repair of the Inside Wiring will be governed by separate contracts between Company and individual unit residents.

We have been fighting Cox for 3 years to do two things. One, they tore up a sidewalk slab to install an in ground node vault and they filled in the missing concrete with
a asphalt cold patch. We have been asking them to fill in the cold patch with concrete. Second, Someone jumped the curb and took out an above ground node. Cox replaced
the node but used the same vault cover that was severely damaged, the plastic lid is 1/3 missing exposing the node to the elements.

All we can do is ask, so far NADA.