Renters: You may be paying for cable and not know it

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Some apartment complexes make deals with cable companies and then make tenants pay for it, even if those don't want cable.

Joe Wolfe lives at Reserve at Providence in south Charlotte.

He went to renew his lease and noticed $60 for Spectrum TV.

"I was angry. Just livid. Just absolutely livid," he said. "It's not optional. You have to pay the $60."

He was upset because he already had AT&T U-verse and liked that provider better.

He emailed Action 9 about his grievance.

"I don't want to be forced to buy something I don't want," Wolfe said.

Renters across the country are having to pay for cable or internet they don't use.

"I don't see how you can force somebody to buy something from somebody you don't want. I don't see how that can possibly be legal," Wolfe told Action 9.

But it is legal.

Apartment complexes can make deals with cable companies and charge tenants for its services.

Tenants can buy another service but they will have to pay for both.

Employees at Wolfe's complex told Action 9 that renters "are free to use whatever means they wish," but they're still "obligated to pay" for Spectrum.

Complexes are not allowed to prohibit tenants from getting their own service on top of the one they already have.

Tenants should check their leases. They may be paying for cable and not know it.

Cox Media Group