You rent, or you’re in a condo, and you want Starlink. The problem isn’t technical — it’s contractual. You can’t drill through a wall or bolt a dish to a roof you don’t own. The good news: no-drill installations exist and work well. Here’s how to do it properly.
Yes — with no drilling, and written permission
A balcony, deck or well-oriented patio is often enough. The real obstacles are sky view and authorization.
First: do you have sky view?
Starlink needs a clear cone of sky, oriented roughly north across Canada. In an apartment, this decides everything.
- North-facing balcony with nothing above it: excellent.
- Balcony with another balcony overhead: usually a problem, the slab blocks part of the sky.
- Window only: doesn’t work. The dish must be outdoors; it can’t see through glass.
- Accessible roof: ideal, but it’s common property — permission required.
Run the obstruction check in the Starlink app from the exact spot you plan to mount. Five minutes, and it saves you ordering for nothing.
No-drill mounting options
| Solution | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Weighted base mount | Balcony, deck | No drilling. Most common. Weight it properly against wind. |
| Railing clamp | Balcony | Clamps to the rail, removes without a trace. |
| Official tripod | Deck, yard | Sold by Starlink, designed for exactly this. |
| Starlink Mini | Anywhere | Small and light, easiest to place and remove. |
A poorly secured dish falling from an eighth-floor balcony onto a sidewalk is a serious problem. A weighted mount needs to be genuinely weighted, and the dish should also be tethered to the railing. Treat this as non-negotiable.
Getting the cable inside without drilling
- Flat window pass-through cable — a thin cable designed to sit under a sliding window or in a patio door frame, which then closes normally.
- Weather sealing around the pass-through to avoid heat loss in winter. This matters in Canada.
- An existing hole — many units already have a coax pass-through. Often the best option, and already permitted.
Starlink’s cable is proprietary with a fairly bulky connector; confirm your pass-through can accommodate it before buying anything.
Asking permission the right way
Whether you rent or own a condo, ask in writing — email is fine. What reassures a landlord or condo board:
- No drilling. Say it explicitly; it’s their number one worry.
- Fully reversible, removed when you leave with no trace.
- Safety: explain the ballast and the tether to the railing.
- No permanent visual change to the building facade.
In a condo, also check the declaration and rules — many prohibit installations visible from the street or on balconies. That’s a building-rules question, not a telecom one.
When it isn’t the right choice
Being honest: in a city apartment with an obstructed balcony, Starlink is often not the right answer. Cable and fibre are faster and cheaper there. Starlink shines where the alternatives are absent or bad.
Where it becomes genuinely compelling: a year-round rented cottage, a rural unit with no fibre, a work trailer, temporary housing. See the provider comparison →
Frequently asked questions
Can my landlord say no?
For anything touching structure or common areas, yes. An installation entirely on your own balcony, with no drilling and no risk, is harder to refuse — but ask anyway, it avoids conflict.
Can I take Starlink with me when I move?
Yes. The equipment is yours if you bought it, and you simply change your service address in the app.
What if I move frequently?
Look at the roaming plans, which are designed for that. See plan options →
Is the Mini better for apartments?
Often yes: smaller, lighter, easier to place and remove, and less visible from the street. More on the Mini →
Check your availability
Thirty seconds to find out whether Starlink serves your address, plus a free month through our link.
Informational only, not legal advice. Check your lease and condo rules. Last updated: September 1, 2026.
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