What do I do with my landlord?

Question

Today I came home and saw where somebody apparently broke into my apartment. I called the police and filed a report. My apartment landlord was notified and they said they were sending someone to replace my locks. Here it is 8:30 at night, and they never showed. We tried to call the 24 hour number, but it was diconnected. We have no other number to reach them. I'm still spooked, and don't want to be here alone tomorrow when my husband goes to work.
We looked through the lease, but nothing is specified about 24/7 service.
What should I do?

I'm in North Carolina

Answer 1

First, tell me what state you are in. In California, if the landlord does not replace your locks within a reasonable time, you can replace the locks yourself and then deduct the cost from your next month's rent (though there are certain hoops you would need to jump through to preserve your rights). That remedy may, or may not, be available.

In either case, I would lean on your landlord to replace the locks, or, in the alternative, consent to you repairing and deducting. Another possibility is that you may replace the locks yourself, and then recover the costs of doing so in small claims court.

Another possibility, of course, is for you to simply replace the locks at your own expense and then eat the cost -- it's not that expensive. Technically, this is probably a violation of your lease, but your landlord's failure to replace your locks for you is a bigger violation. And as a practical matter you can't simply continue living in an apartment without a locking door -- especially after your apartment has already been broken in to.

It depends entirely on what state you live in. Your state may, or may not, allow some or all of the above-described remedies. Or, your state may have remedies that I have not discussed. Let me know what state you are in and I may be able to offer a more helpful answer.

Good luck.

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All right, I read that you live in North Carolina. Please be advised that the "repair and deduct" remedy is NOT, repeat NOT, available in North Carolina. N.C. Gen State § 42-44(c). So, you can't simply change the lock and deduct the cost from your rent -- you have to pay your rent in full reguardless. What you CAN do, however, is change your locks and sue your landlord for the costs of doing so. N.C. Gen State § 42-44(c).

Note that if you install a new lock, you will have to give your landlord a copy of the key (and I would advise you to do that IMMEDIATELY).

Of course, if you can persusade your landlord to make the repairs himself, that too would solve your problem. If your landlord hasn't fixed your lock by now, however, I would say that you are justified in doing it yourself.

Good luck.

Answer 2

go to a hotel if you don't feel safe. if you have a police report and can verify that you called the landlord. they would be on the hook for anything that was stolen. i would also have them pay for your hotel room since they have failed to provide you with locks..but if your place was broken into wouldn't the door also be broken?if it was someone with a key it might have been the landlord to begin with.if it was then you have a law suite against them because they don't have the right to just enter your place without prior notifacation. unless it was an emergancy like the power needed to be turned off or the water. sue sue sue

Answer 3

8:30 is not that late. Locksmith may still show up. If not call tomorrow. Find a friend to stay with you tomorrow. Close the door & put a chair against it. Or, just leave & go to a neighbor & have the locksmith call when he gets there.

Answer 4

man that so dumb stuff that the landlord pulled. look though your house and see is anything is gone

Answer 5

weird id leav and be freakin weirded out