I leased a double in June of 2007. I am convinced that the other half of the double residents are breaking in through my attic. You see, my next door neighbors are a set of two boys who are in their senior years of high school with their single mother working 3rd shift. I come home sometimes at 2 in the morning (due to my job) and they are all sitting the porch, smoking pot, making sexual comments to me and so on. I am a single 23 year old girl living alone with a great guard dog. After taking her for a walk one day, a came home to my front door being cracked open and my dog's hair standing on her back as we entered my home. She led me straight to the hall closet, which has the attic enterance in it. When I opened it; the attic door had been opened and dust particles and debris were remaing on my clothing hanging in the closet. Now, on top of this, I awoke to the loudest gun-shots I have ever heard at 5:30am one morning, having to call 9-1-1. It was way too close to home!
2007-10-09 16:35:27 · 17 answers · asked by shayhaha 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Yes, I have notified my landlord as of today. I have been afraid that he may say something to the neighbors about my complaints and make matters worse though. He is supposed to get back with me tomorrow, however he did not seem to concerned at all. I have made a total of two police reports. Nothing came of them. The horrible thing is, it really is a great neighborhood minus the next door neighbors. My father came over to crawl into the attic to see if there was a way for them to do what I thought they were doing. As far as he could see...no. However he wasn't sure if they was a secret passage of some sort and did find recently smoked cigrettes and evidence of someone being up there. What I am afraid of is, cameras and someone sneaking in during the night. I have caught them looking in windows and getting inside of my vehicle already. I just want out, without destroying my great credit and rental history!
2007-10-09 17:03:19 · update #1
you should have filed a police report re: break-in at front door...maybe you still can & you should have police come by to document attic trespass. you can file a rpt due to harrassment issue from neighbor boys not to mention the pot. you called 911....
notify landlord in writing now as to circumstances then move. you have cause. it's unfortunate for your landlord -- but he needs to take care of this & can't unless notified in writing. also, have him come by asap to look at the attic pass thru...& fix it...notify him in writing...everything must be in writing even if you speak w/ him on the phone also....i'm sure you are a nice person but tell your landlord you have 0 tolerance for this circumstance & you are out. period.
do not wait for other people to control your safety & your living conditions. if your landlord has a deposit do not pay another penny in rent until the financials are settled.
one bad thing on your excellent credit will bring it down a bit but not do damage....do not worry about that!!! i'm betting your landlord will make it easy for you to leave...he doesn't need a lawsuit...if he still seems unconcerned be sure to tell him in writing he will have a lawsuit for negligence since he was notified...keep a written journal of all dates/times/ & subjects of phone conversation w/ his responses...
2007-10-09 16:47:12 · answer #1 · answered by lauren s 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The posting by lauren s is on the right track. File a report with the police. Send a written letter to the mother of the two boys informing her of your suspicions and the police report filed. Take your documentation to the landlord and request to get out of the lease. If the landlord doesn't budge then tell the landlord that you'll take the matter to the court. Most judges will terminate a lease in safety situations like this. For example, I live in a neighborhood where there was a carjacking. If I feel like there is a threat to my safety, then I can take the police report from the carjacking (even though it had nothing to do with me) and tell the landlord I don't feel safe and I want out of my lease. Generally speaking, landlord don't want to go spend time and money in court on these things, so they may terminate the lease without penalty. I've helped clients get out of leases like this. Hope this helps.
2007-10-09 16:55:49 · answer #2 · answered by Smita 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know what your legal rights are but I do know that you have the right to feel safe in your home. If you feel that they broke in, you can count on it. Put a lock on it, nail it shut, or put cameras in your apartment and get proof. You should have called the cops and documented it. You can't blame anyone. Let the cops do that. You can tell your landlord about the pot and the sexual remarks but you can't call the copsabout that. They will get even with you. Try to document what you can and then move. I'll bet the landlord will come after you but if you have a recording of the guys and their remarks and/or you get them on camera breaking in, no judge in the world will hold you to the lease. Be very careful and check your locks and windows on a regular basis. You can drill holes in windows(be sure not to hit the glass) and then put a double headed nail in the hole so that they can't jimmy your window open. You can put a knife in your woodwork so that your door can't be opened when you're inside. Be very careful. When the door was left open, they wanted you to know they had been inside. It's a mind game and a very dangerous one. They want you to be afraid and are having a good time playing with you. When they get tired of playing you could be in serious danger. II think I would tell (and just document it with a letter) the landlord and then I would just move and take a blow to my credit. Your safety is more important. If you decide to move, have enough help to swoop up everything and leave quickly.
2007-10-09 16:52:24 · answer #3 · answered by towanda 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well before you try to break the lease, you might call the police and report the pot heads.
Also, you can install a very cheap lock on that attic door (if it is a pull down with steps). If not, you can get an almost as cheap lock for that closet door too. Both are easy to install.
If that doesn't work, you need to read the lease. If there is a clause in it that would allow you to break the lease do to unsafe or hazardous environment, then you could. You may need to speak with a local attorney as laws vary greatly from state to state.
2007-10-09 16:41:03 · answer #4 · answered by hensleyclaw 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Call the police and report it. Also get a deadbolt for your front door, and a chain or latch lock for the inside. Put a lock of some sort on the inside of the attic so it cant be opened from inside the attic to get inside your house. Call your landlord and let them know your concerns, and ask if they will pay for the locks. Also call the police if they are sitting on the porch smoking pot or any other illegal activity. Your landlord may just evict them if they continue to do illegal things.
2007-10-09 16:57:58 · answer #5 · answered by Somaesthesia 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Read your lease - most of them have breakage clauses - the reasons are generally unimportant.
And you should call the police - the kids are embarking on a life of crime, breaking and entering isn't "child's play". The landlord should be willing to install a security system and anything else it takes to make you feel secure and comfortable in your home.
Talk to your landlord - he/she may release you from the lease without penalty if he fears losing both tenants if the situation continues as is.
Good luck - juvenile delinquents aren't cute and they aren't fun. I'm glad you have a dog!
2007-10-09 17:10:34 · answer #6 · answered by pepper 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Send your landloard a letter stating why you are fearing for your life and you will be giving him a 30 day notice. If he has any disputes about you breaking the lease he needs to contact you. Keep all copies of the police reports in case he sues you in court. Also a video tape of the boys hanging out front and smoking pot is good evidence. If he sues you in court let him and show the judge why you feared for your life.
2007-10-09 17:29:18 · answer #7 · answered by john a 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Couple options:
1. Rent or borrow a video camera and set it up (hidden) of course and document that door for a few days.
If the little hoodlums are entering your apartment and you catch them on tape, call the cops and press charges ASAP.
2. While you are home figure out a way to secure that door, or the closet door so they can't get in.
Finally, this is crap, call your landlord and let him know of your suspicions, we all deserve to feel safe in our homes.
Good luck
2007-10-09 16:46:14 · answer #8 · answered by Gem 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You should be able to. I live in WPB FL and I broke my lease due to feeling my life was in danger, just MAKE SURE you talk to the manager of the duplex or apt whatever it is and you get it in writing and KEEP IT.....i got sued for breaking my lease even though i signed something with them agreeing to it cause i lost the stupid paper, It may be different where you live but just talk to them and let them know that you dont feel safe. I wouldnt let them try to kick the other people out either cause they might come back and try to hurt you, I would just tell them you want out of it, or even try to work some kind of deal out. That is really scary and I hope everything works out for you!!
2007-10-09 16:45:52 · answer #9 · answered by Sherie D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would first approach the landlord and tell him, "Look, I am in fear of my safety and in order for me to not suffer harm I need to break this lease." Make him feel like if something happens to you, you will kind of hold him personally liable. Now I am not saying he WOULD be liable, but put the thought in his head that it would be easier to just to 'give in' to you vs risking the consequences. That is how I would personally approach it.
2007-10-09 16:45:52 · answer #10 · answered by Zaymee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋