Is it all right if my landlord goes through my mail? (Wisconsin)?

Question

I just moved into an apartment with a friend, sort of sub-leasing from her other roommate that left in the middle of the night, and from what my roommate says the landlord shows up at her apartment at least once a week to check things out, with no notice. While she was there last night, she started going through the stack of mail that was sitting on the kitchen table. She wanted to know why one of my roommates friends (who does not live there, he happens to be in jail for a speeding ticket and is having his mail forwarded to her until he gets out) was using our address (althrough she referred to it in this manner: "Why is this Grant guy using my address?") for his mail. And then reminded us that we can't just let anyone stay the night, we're not allowed to have guests. And then she called my roommate by her ex-roommates name. I think she's just mentally unbalanced. Is there anything we can legally do about this? Or at least about her coming into the apartment and going through things?

Answer 1

yes by law she has to give you a written 24 hour notice, and its very illegal for her to go thru your mail, don't let her in the next time she comes knocking and if she uses a key or lets her self in call the law that's invasion of your privacy all the way around, as far as the other room mate using that address i do believe that she has a say there.but as far as the other, put her in her place .maybe you need to really read the fine print on the lease?

Answer 2

If she acutally opened any of the mail it is illegal. Otherwise, it will depend on the laws regarding tenant rights--and those vary. I'd check (without her knowing, of course) with the police and/or the post office.

I will say this--she's wins a blue ribbon for sheer rudeness. BTW--in some jurisdictions she may be limited as to the extent she can do some other things-like showing up and expecting to be let in without notice, etc. Check it out.

Answer 3

They cannot come into your apartment unless you are notified 24 or 48 hours prior unless it is an emergency. This will be stated in the lease. It might not be a good idea to make trouble since you are not technically on the lease. Sounds more like a busy body landlady than a real serious threat to your safety.

Answer 4

I would not put up with that.

I live in the UK and have spent years being screwed over by landlords. Our last one stole money from us. We know it was him.

The thing is, Landlords only have power because we rent out homes from them. All you have to do if your Landlord is infriging your rights is to up and move. don't worry they'll soon be crying all the way to the bank without your £600 a month in their hot little pocket.

Social Housing is the only answer.

Answer 5

Check your lease. She certainly has no right to touch any of
your personal belongings including mail.

But I bet money in your lease it says she has the right to inspect the property as often as she likes. She should call before she comes though. See what the lease says about that.

I would move. Because if you jam her up it is just going to get worse.

Answer 6

No, it's a federal offense to tamper with mail sent through the USPS.

Answer 7

by law....you do not have to let her in if she shows up unannounced. She must give you 24 hrs notice for any "inspection". As far as mail...as long as she didn't open it, not much you can do. Put in a drawer or something, and if she starts opening drawers, have her arrested.

Answer 8

Call the cops, she can't go thorugh mail it's a federal offense! She can't enter ytour apartment either.

Answer 9

No and tell them to mind there own business and to stop coming by. Call the states attorney and find out if you can stop this.