I was away for family christmas today and when I got home I noticed lights were on, deadbolt on door unlocked, and doors closed that were open and open doors that are normally closed. I called landlord and asked if they entered my premises today because I had NO idea what was going on. His first response was "No" then "Well, ya I guess my wife was." I procceeded to inform him it was illegal to enter apartment without a 24 hour notice unless an emergency and showing my apartment is not deemed an emergency. His response yelled at me was "Don't F***ing call me and b***h to me about this" He claimed he didn't have my new phone number which was typed as part of my letter when I sent him my intent to terminate lease.
What are my legal options here? I had my underwear laying around, tampons sitting out on the toliet, dirty dishes in the sink, and my aparment was just a complete mess which would have been cleaned if I had known people were coming in.
2006-12-23 15:07:52 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Duh Haley how are people going to know what I need help with if I don't tell what the situation is.
2006-12-23 15:11:14 · update #1
I can live like a slob if I want to it's my home so I can live as I please.
2006-12-23 15:13:52 · update #2
Landlords are required to give a 24 hour notice before entering, you call call fair housing and HUD (Housing and Urban Development) and file a complaint. They will investigate, if HUD finds that they have violated the law they will give them a $10,000 fine for the first and second offenses and a $50,000 fine for a third offense. They will also pay for the attorneys to help you sue them and you can choose whether to sue Municipal or Federal.
Fair Housing can help you to understand the law and what your rights are. I manage rental properties and I comply with the law and see a lot of others who are breaking the law and it makes me very mad. I have had meetings with Fair Housing and HUD and Landlord Training with the Nampa Police Dept. Call right away.
2006-12-23 15:36:48 · answer #1 · answered by Angelz 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Call the police and report it as a trespass. Even if he tried to contact you 24 hours in advance and couldn't, in most states the landlord still cannot legally enter your apartment. This time of year, that is not considered unusual. Also, they could have sent you mail about their need to inspect your apartment. Also, is you new phone number unlisted?
Report it to the Better Business Bureau. Even though they don't have any power, they track complaints and you may find out if this has happened before.
Check locally. I'm sure you have a local "Housing Authority". They can help you. Where I live, they even have tenant right books.
BTW - On the 24 hour emergency entry. There needs to be a legitimate emergency that needed to be addressed. I wouldn't waste the money on an attorney, because since his claim is that his wife entered, I don't THINK that you will have much of a claim. But it's up to you.
Good Luck
2006-12-23 15:28:43 · answer #2 · answered by Henry H 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A reasonable attempt to contact has to be made no less than 24 hours before entering.
In addition to that, they must have a valid reason pertaining to the leased/rented domain to enter the premises and no personal effects or private property may be rummaged through or moved.
I'd definately suggest calling your local police department. They would know what steps you could take.
Also, there is a book you can buy called Renters Rights. It explains all of the rules very clearly.
2006-12-23 15:21:59 · answer #3 · answered by jaynang_99 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, you've already decided to move. And yes, they do have to give you notice. But can you sue them? I don't really think so. But you could call the police and report an illegal entry to your apartment. But how much time has passed? And will the landlord's wife actually admit to entering the apartment when you weren't there, and they hadn't given you notice? Probably not. So it would be your word against theirs. I say just move out when you are suppose to and get on with your life. Good riddance to rude landlords who break the law in their quest to make a buck! Good Luck and I wish you better luck with the next landlord and his or her family!
2006-12-23 15:16:51 · answer #4 · answered by Mary J 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
ok you can live how you wan to, hell who cares if your dishes are not done and your stuff is out it is your place. ok that being said. your landlord has no right or his wife to just go into your place when ever they feel like it.
do you have a way to set up a camera the nevet time you leave so you can see what they are doing when you are not there? is there and thing that was taken from your place?
if he can not show that there was a real emergency then he has no right to come into your place you need to call the cops and tell them that whenyou can home you found it like this and you belive that he has gone though your stuff and see ifthat will help.
hope it all works out for you and if not find a new place to live.
2006-12-23 15:34:09 · answer #5 · answered by jlw78418 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Call a Lawyer and ask. Most give free consults. Some right over the phone. But, you also have to ask yourself, If I'm moving out anyway is it worth it. If all else fails, on the day you move out, hide a dead fish up in the dropped ceiling. It will take them months to find where the stench is coming from. Just make sure you get your security deposit back first. GOOD LUCK.
2006-12-23 15:26:22 · answer #6 · answered by Michael K 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You did not say what state you was in, in Alabama a landlord has the right to go into the rental property any time they want without notice. But, must knock and be invited in. Depending on the state you are in you may have the right for a law suite! You are embaressed, your light bill went up, you do not feel safe ( he has a key), stress he is causing.ect...Good luck on your move!
2006-12-23 15:14:19 · answer #7 · answered by Susan Beck 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
seem at your employ to work out if there's a smash employ clause (this would inform you the quantity that you need to pay to break your employ). If there is not, contact the owner and ask if he will aid you pay to break the employ (frequently 30-60 days of employ and probably promotion costs). Your different selection is to stay there and locate yet another roommate. in case your ex-boyfriend would not pay any employ, you need to probably take him to small claims' court docket (in case you want to clutter with it) and get a million-2 months of employ, besides the indisputable fact that the decide would anticipate you in searching yet another roommate after that factor period. you may't sue him for the finished employ because you need to make each attempt to locate yet another roommate in a life like era of time. in case you extremely won't be able to have the funds for the position, and do not favor to get yet another roommate, i'd recommend that you talk with the owner about breaking the employ. Make it sound just about as good as a chance: furnish to pay for specialist cleansing (received't fee you a lot), furnish one extra 30 days of employ, and pay for a particular quantity of promotion costs. Then chop up those costs with the ex.
2016-12-01 03:19:21 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I read it. And you can clean your home when you want. Your landlord cannot just wander in, however. Laws vary from state to state, get a lawyer. He also cannot lock you out without a court order, so don't let him pull that crap on you. Call the police if he or his wife give you problems. The laws favor tenants in landlord-tenant disputes, so document everything they do.
2006-12-23 15:17:54 · answer #9 · answered by neo_maxi_zoon_dweeby 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well forget what it looked like. anyone who just walks into your place uninvited and unannounced can't say anything about the way it was. re-read your lease. if it clearly states that he is not allowed in there without notice then he breached the contract. if your lease doesn't explicitly say it, then you have to research your local laws. this may be a bit more difficult but if you are worried that this will happen again, it may be worth the trouble of finding legal advice.
2006-12-23 15:20:35 · answer #10 · answered by morequestions 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋