My landlord is harrassing me. Please advise.?

Question

Our landlord claims to have no way to contact me other than knocking on our door. She knocked very loudly, tried to look in our window and even tried to open the door. I have a husband that works nights and a 2 month old. She woke them both up and said that she knocked the day before and she I knew I was home. Inferring the I am required to answer the door. I asked why she didn't call, she said she didn't have my #. I told her it was listed and she ignored me. I asked her why she didn't write or post notice and she ignored that as well. She's has clearly, in my opinion, violated my tentant rights. How do I respond to this unacceptable behavior?

She wanted to tell me to mow the lawn, even though it's been raining for the last two weeks and it was raining when I talked to her at the door.

I believe a door to door salesman is harrassing. If he keeps knocking repeatedly and returns again later. It's the same issue with telemarketers. If it's important, leave a note or a message.

I breastfeed my son as well. I do not put answering the door above my son. I have never had a landlord knocking on my door like I owe them money over an uncut lawn. In FACT, being a renter who always pays on time, I've never had a landlord that found it necessary to come to my door.

They were working on the house next door, so she decided to come on over. I prefer a business relationship with my landlord, we're practically strangers, certainly not friends.

Answer 1

tell her that if she does not call before hand than you will call the police bc she is not legally allowed to enter the apartment unless there is AN EMERGENCY i.e. a flood or power outtage. She cannot just walk in and come and go as she pleases. No phone call means no access and u mean it. She is considered an intruder and if she needs you to call the police than you will do so. Its a violation of your agreement and request for peace and quiet.

Answer 2

I think you may be over reacting to a one time incident. Give the landlord your phone number and ask that she not come by unannounced this should solve the problem. If you cannot live with this then move when your lease is up.

ok she was already at the home next door, she does not have a current phone number for you on record and she knocked on the door to remind you that the lawn wasn't mowed as promised. I don't think she was being unreasonable. Its a one time thing so long as you mow the lawn. Just request that she call you next time and give her phone number and go worry about something else.

Answer 3

Violated your rights by knocking on the door?

There is more to this story. You didn't say why she was trying to contact you. Instead of tell her your number is listed, you could have given her a piece of paper with the number on it.

If I knew someone was home and they didn't come to the door when I knocked I would knock louder. The thinking is that maybe they didn't hear it the first time I knocked.

You are sounding pretty defensive for the information you have posted. I'd like to hear more of the story as to why she was trying to contact you.

Answer 4

I think there is much more to this story. Why did she want to talk to you? You never mentioned that. As a landlord I never bother my tenants unless I need to get in for repairs or they owe me money. As far as knocking on the door, if you own a home, and a salesman knocks on it, is that harrassment? I don't think so. Own up to the rest of the story and maybe someone will feel for you.

Answer 5

For one, don't react to her nutty behavior. Give her all of your contact information (phone numbers at home and work, etc) and show her the clause in the lease about "notice" before the landlord can enter the property. Be nice! Then, figure out why in the world the landlord would even need to speak to you if you were paying your rent on time and fix the issue so it never comes up again.

Answer 6

I was once visiting my dad, who at the time lived in a house he rented. I was alone in the house and ran downstairs in a towel after getting out of the shower and proceeded to get dressed while standing in front of the dryer, where my clothes were. All of a sudden, the land lord walked right in! Didn't even give a tap on the door.

The moral of the story is, the land lord wasn't mean, just an idiot. She thought that because it was her house, she should be able to walk in at anytime. You should sit down with the land lord and explain to her that no one is avoiding her; when the door isn't answered it is because the people inside are asleep. Tell her point blank, "You may own this house, but you rented it to me. If you need to speak to myself or my husband, you need to respect our privacy and call first to arrange a time. I would like to have a good, working, business relationship here, but when you show up and disrupt this household, you make that extremely difficult."

Answer 7

it's not illegal to knock on the door, but looking in the window is a little intrusive. she has the right to get in touch with you--send her a note saying something like, i have a husband that works nights, and a new baby, etc., if you need to speak to me please call this number or come in the evening

Answer 8

You promised to mow the loan regularly and failed to do it (I doubt it could be raining 2 weeks in the row).
You shouldn't consider this a harassment, someone made you a favor. Remember, she can evict you for the breach of lease (in other words, for not doing something you promised to do).

Answer 9

What was she wanting? was it something to do with an emergency to the home? I would send her a certified letter with my number on it asking her to respect my privacy.