My landlord has been acting really inappropriately towards me lately, like making excuses to come by my apartment late at night when none of the other neighbors are around just to "check" to see if everything's going okay, or to make sure I paid my rent (which I always do on time), and then hitting on me and telling me how cute I am, and generally making me uncomfortable. I'm the only tenant he does this to. I never allow him into my apartment during these times, but I would like to have another lock on my door because it makes me nervous that he has keys to my place and is acting this way towards me. Can I legally add an additional lock to my apartment door? I can't move right now, but I also cannot live in a place where I don't feel safe because of the landlord. I'm not going to answer my door anymore late at night, but there has got to be something else I can do to ensure my safety. My landlord also lives across town which makes these late night visits even more suspicious.
2006-12-04 05:54:36 · 11 answers · asked by April28 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
Report him to your local authorities. It doesn't sound like you are safe. Move out as soon as possible.
2006-12-04 05:57:30 · answer #1 · answered by meaty_okra 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Write him a letter, referencing his behaviour and expressing your desire for written communication in all matters and request that he cease the drop by visits. You do not need to give a reason for this request, just make it. Keep a copy for your records and use registered mail so that you can prove he got it. If you should need to get a restraining order, the records would be very useful.
I would check with the local rental housing mediation group and see if there is a recommended action for dealing with difficult landlords and also what your rights are. The landlord may be an agent for the owner of the property and not the owner in which case, you could contact the owner with your concerns. I believe that while your landlord does have the right to enter the premesis it requires 24 hour written notice unless there is an emergency or reasonable cause. You should make sure that you have a chain lock that you leave on whenever you are inside. If you can afford to spend ~$200, sharper image has a clock with a motion activated video camera inside so you could see if he is coming in when you're not at home.
2006-12-04 06:07:42 · answer #2 · answered by threelucy2 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You do not have the right to put a lock on the door and not give your landlord a key. You DO have the right to refuse him entrance, unless you received proper prior notice. Read your lease to see what that is, but typically 24 hours notice is reasonable, unless there's an emergency.
You DO also have the right to put a chain or other such device on the door, that you can use to prevent entrance when you are home. They're not foolproof, but they can help.
In most states, landlords require a license. Start looking for state housing agencies in your area. Call until you find someone willing to listen and help.
If you just up and leave and break the lease, you could end up getting sued by the landlord for lost income. That's something you don't want to let happen. Most areas have special housing courts, perhaps you could file a claim and see if you can get the court to break your lease for you.
If you can't find any help with a local housing agency, you may need to find an attorney who can help you get out of your lease and get somewhere safe. A well-worded letter from an attorney might be enough to scare your landlord into letting you out of your lease early.
Begin anything you do right now by documenting each and every odd occurrence. Write it all down, times dates actions etc... even write down your feelings, if you felt scared or threatened. If you can't itemize the specific events, you won't get anywhere with anybody.
2006-12-04 06:09:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Wow, that is creepy, I'll be your not the first woman he has done this with. Maybe you should go on line and get a search done on him. Costs about $39 but might be well worth it. ee if by chance he has any kind of criminal record.
Also they make things you can lodge under your door handle when you are home that only you can remove to let someone in.
Set some sort of trap for him when you are not home to see if he's coming in your apartment when your not there. When you leave, place a thread or tooth pick high up on the door and if its not there when you come home, someone has been in your apartment.
Start a journal and write the time and date in it every time this happens, just in case you need it.
Good luck, if its possible to move, I would.
Do you know anyone else in the apartment, if so, make them aware of what he's doing.
2006-12-04 17:38:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Can I legally add an additional lock to my apartment door?
No. Not without giving the landlord the keys. He does have right to access in case of emergency.
Have you told him to stop or set any limits on this behavior? It is difficult and touchy, but if you don't say no, his defense is that you never said it was unwelcomed.
2006-12-04 09:35:54 · answer #5 · answered by kingstubborn 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow. Scary. First. I would document everything. Second I would report him to the landlord/tenate rights. See if he has done this before too. As far as putting another lock on your door. I would do it, but not use it if I am not home, cause he does have the right to go into your apartment, if something is really wrong. But I would do it to keep myself safer at night! Check with your local law enfocements. See what you can do!! Good luck!
2006-12-04 05:59:39 · answer #6 · answered by Sophiegreeneyes 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would put an additional lock on the inside. maybe a chain lock.
Tell your landlord that he needs to call before comming over or you will not answer the door. he will get the point once you tell him.
he has no right in your house unless it's an emergency. he owns it but you are paying to be there and it's your home.
2006-12-04 06:02:07 · answer #7 · answered by Confused 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
except that is written on your employ that you'll purely have 10 in one day visitor in line with 3 hundred and sixty 5 days, the owner is out of line. A landlord can make you upload someone to the employ, in the experience that they are staying there extra nights than they don't seem, yet no longer evict.
2016-11-23 16:22:26 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The police most likley wont be of any help, I would be prepared for them to tell me they can't do anything unless he actually harms or tries to harm you physically. BUT I would most defnitley file an actual report, and defnitley document everything. video tape him or record him if he calls you theres your evidence. You might have a real serious case on your hands. Good Luck to you, oh yeah and get a pitbull or other scary dog if you can, or anything
2006-12-04 06:07:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Call the police
2006-12-04 05:56:22 · answer #10 · answered by Cindy S 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋