What can I do about a property manager in my apartment building that illegally entered my unit without notice.

Question

They sent me a letter stating that they entered it and found that I have an "illegal washing machine and dishwasher and now want to increase my rent by $100.00 a month retroactive back to September 2005. I have a visual disability that requires me to use a dishwasher to ensure I eat off clean dishes.

My lease states that they can only enter without notice if it is an emergency.

or repairs. But no repairs were being done and there was no emergency

Answer 1

Call the police and fill a report. And then you will probably have to take your landlord to a local Magistrate. No landlord is allowed to enter your apartment without 1st notifying you. That's considered your home, and its burglary if he or she enters without permission. As far as the rent, Check your lease, if your not allowed to have those things, then it would have to say that, very clearly. If not, that also can be handled at the Magistrate (local courts). if it does say that, then you will probably have to pay. I would move out as soon as possible. There are lots of apartments out there with better landlords.

Answer 2

Read your lease contract, or have someone with good legal understanding read it for you.

If it is stipulated they can enter your apartment all you can do is fight to have the condition removed or you move out.

But if there is no written condition then you can press charges of illegal entry, trespassing, insult, etc.

As a property owner they have rights to inspect the items you bring in the building, you may want to investigate how they were able to declare your dishwasher and washing machine as "illegal".

Answer 3

First, contact your doctor. If they can give you a dr's note that states what you are claiming, then you should have had that before you moved the appliance in. Secondly, contact a real estate attorney. They have no legal rights to enter your domain without first notifying you that they are going to do so and give you ample amount of time to make accommedations. It is in the landlord vs tenant act. That becomes your property, even though you do not own it. That is considered as unlawful entry into a domain. That is a criminal offense.

Answer 4

If your lease says they can enter without notice, or doesn't say they can't; they can... they are the owner.
If your lease says you can't have those appliances and no provision or alteration was made to compensate for your handicap;; they can increase your rent. The retroactive part is odd as how do they know when you put it in? If you told them, then they got you. I would visit your local tenant laws online and see what you can fight... both the tenant AND the landlord have rights in most countries.

Answer 5

I would contact the Board of Realtors in your area for Rental Issue..
But, lets not forget ~ The Americana's with Disabilities Act....
Is there a Legal Aid in your area?? Contact them as well...
Get your lease out ~ Make sure you have a 24 hr. notice to enter clause....
Just because you have a Disability doesn't mean you don't have rights!!!!
You need to find out what they are in your area & don't be affraid to use them, after all....If your Property Mgr. did this to you, who is to say they haven't done it to others in the past or now!!!

Answer 6

I'm sure your lease allows entry by the people that OWN the apartment you are renting.

I'm equally sure that that your dishwasher is in violation of the terms of that lease.

Your visual disability doesn't change any of that.

You got caught.

Deal with it.

Answer 7

Let it go.. You have moved out and just have to clean. What harm has been done to you? Nothing! The unit is empty and they had a carpet man in there to get it ready for the next tenant. Forget it and move on.