Can you use a DirectTV box bought not through the company (think like Ebay) to connect?

Do NOT buy DirecTV boxes on eBay. Many were never properly deactivated from their original account and you won't be able to activate it on your account. And many of the AT&T/DirecTV Stream boxes have old firmware that cannot be updated. You can buy refurbished DirecTV Stream boxes directly from DirecTV for $49, so don't risk buying on eBay. 

If your apartment or condo gets DIRECTV bulk to all tenants (I recall it is called choice digital bulk package), you should try contacting the local dealer that services the whole apartment. They may be able to hook you up with another receiver. 

As a note, you posted in the directv stream forum. Do you have DIRECTV satellite or directv stream service with the apartment?

Some of us can't buy the DirecTV streaming boxes directly from DTV, so our only option is eBay or equivalent.  At one point, this "locked to an account" wasn't a thing, making such purchases reasonably safe.  (As was being able to update the firmware.)  Now, getting the devices is very iffy.  I assume this is part of their attempt to chase the remaining original subscribers, but I consider it pretty scummy on their part.

Does DirecTV still sell new or refurbished DirecTV Stream boxes to customers as an alternative to renting the DirecTV Stream box?  

You can buy refurbished Directv Stream boxes thru Walmart for 40 bucks. I don't think Dtv sells them anymore.

Thanks for your response. If I buy one from Walmart, do I need to look for a specific model and register it through DirecTV for it to work?

Only devices bought from DirecTV are registered to the system.

@bf1412outlook Model is C71KW-400. Just put that into the search bar on the walmart website. Just plug it in and go. When you login to the box with your Dtv Stream login info---it will get registered.

Thanks everyone for your comments and recommendations.