This is the deal, I was sitting in my appartment today when one of the maintence people unlocked my door and came in. They did not call me or notify me beforehand that they needed to do anything and there was no dire emergency situation in my opinion, he just said there was a minor water leak downstairs and they needed to check it out. Do I have any right to take any legal action? If so, what should I do. Seriously, I could have been in the shower or something come out to find a stranger in my home. To top it all off (after I made him get the office manager, so I wasn't alone in my apartment with some strange dude that I've never even met before) he didn't even do anything, he told me what the problem was and said that I needed to get the parts and have my husband fix it.
2006-10-02 09:43:57 · 16 answers · asked by Its a Beautiful Day! 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
By the way, I did talk to the office manager and she didn't seem to care. I mean, if it happens again to I have the right to mace the guy and call the cops. In my opinion, beings they didn't warn me they were coming, I consider it breaking and entering but i know its not my opinion that matters, its what laws say.
2006-10-02 09:53:46 · update #1
Check your lease about that, it's usually there. However, if it's not, then by law 24 hour notification is necessary.
IF there really was a water leak downstairs, then it could be considered an emergency. however, that might be the defacto excuse the maintaince guy uses whenever he's troling for tenat's weed stashes and he is caught off guard by someone being there.
And then he didn't even do the work? and expected YOU to buy the parts and do it yourself? Call the manager and report him. If you wanted to do repairs yourself, you'd be in a house earning equity! Report to the local renter's associations as well and the BBB. That's disgusting!
I forgot something: GOTO http://www.google.com and find the sex offender data base in your area. find out the full name of this guy and punch it in. If anything comes up, bring it to your apt manager.
2006-10-02 09:51:36 · answer #1 · answered by Manny 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am pretty sure that what he did was illegal. If you had not been home (if he called AND knocked on the door) and there was a leak coming from your apartment to someone elses downstairs, then he probably had a right to enter your home. Your lease should have the specifics on it. At the least what he did though, was very disrespectful. He should have tried to call, then knocked, and Im with you, someone should have been with him. I would not like the idea of ANY stranger being alone in my home. I would definatly call your local law enforcement officials who can give you definate answere. Good luck and Im sorry that your trust was violated.
2006-10-02 16:50:17 · answer #2 · answered by Karri G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They can't enter your Apartment without giving you 24 hour written notice! I take it your a female, sounds to me like the Dude was up to something! Unfortunantly you can't put a new lock on your door, without giving the Manager a key, so forget that. I'd complain (LOUDLY) to the Apartment Managers and have them assure you this will not happen again, whether you are home or not. If the place was on fire, then they could probably let the fire department in but thats it! Another thing you could do is have your husband take the dude out, but I don't recommend it.
2006-10-02 16:56:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Authorized agents of the owners can enter an apartment without notice to make emergency repairs or correct situations that are immediately affecting other units. Water leaks are the most common problems. However, it does not mean they can just unlock the door and come in. Common sense dictates that they knock first and explain the reason they need to come into your apartment. If you are not home then they are permitted to come in and do what they have to do. As far as macing him, if the guy just opened the door and walked in without announcing his presence and identifying himself then he gets what he deserves. I can't imagine you would be charged for protecting yourself and defending you home.
2006-10-02 23:10:17 · answer #4 · answered by Mike 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure if every apt. complex has the same way of doing things but my husband worked at a very nice complex and they were aloud to enter an apt. and just yell out maintance. No one seemed to complain about it but there was a deaf women who lived there so that made it a bit difficult when they had to enter her apt. As far as you having to buy and fix the leak, that doesn't sound right at all. That's why some people choose to live in apts, so they won't have to do any maint.
2006-10-02 18:54:40 · answer #5 · answered by luckylindy0 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are supposed to have 24 hrs notice before anyone from the apartment can enter your apt. If there is an emergency (not in this case) they at least have to knock. I would let the apartment manager know about this and make it clear that they are not to do this again.
2006-10-02 16:55:45 · answer #6 · answered by Take it from Toby 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is illegal for anyone to enter your apartment without your permission unless it is a true emergency. I would notify the owner and tell that person what happened and let them know in no uncertain terms that if there is a next time you will call the authorities.
2006-10-02 16:51:44 · answer #7 · answered by Aberdeen 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In my experience, you had to be notified before someone would enter your apartment, unless it was an emergency, even then they would still try to contact you. I would speak to the apartment manager and express your concerns, it just may be a matter of reminding an employee about policy and procedure. I don't really see that you have any legal recourse, or that it is necessary.
2006-10-02 16:48:33 · answer #8 · answered by CJ 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I lived in an apartment complex, a few years ago. A maintenance man, who had keys to every apartment, was burglarizing apartments, until he finally got caught.
You are right to be concerned.
Check your lease. The landlord has the right to enter your apartment. They must knock and announce their presence,first. The maintenance man was wrong to come in, without your permission while you were there. Keep your doors locked on the inside and report him to the manager.
2006-10-02 16:50:30 · answer #9 · answered by regerugged 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Usually you get 24hrs notice when they need to enter your apartment, but if it's an emergency then that is a different story. What you can do is talk to your manager and tell him/her that you would like to be called in advance in the future if something like this happens again.
2006-10-02 16:47:42 · answer #10 · answered by Rawrrrr 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋