My apartment Landlord gave the keys to the pest exterminator and he came in and stole some things, what to do?

Question

Please I need help.

I was sleeping while the pest exterminator used the keys to come inside my apartment and when I woke up and he was inside my apartment and he said he needed to check for roaches, then everything went ok and he left.

Soon after he left, I checked for my wallet but some $25 Applebee's gift cards that were on the table were missing..and I reported it to the landlord and she said she was going to call the Orkin company and tell them about it. The pest exterminator was from Orkin's and I was suspicious because he asked me why I have so many gift cards and also asked if the food at Applebees is good.

Please I need to know what is the best thing to do in this case because I lost a lot of money on those gift cards.. and the thing that bothers me most is that he came inside the apartment while I was sleeping because he had the keys from the manager.

Answer 1

Your legal claim is against Orkin, not your landlord.

You will need a police report. Orkin is likely to settle out of court, but you may need to sue. The DA will handle the criminal charges against the thief.

Answer 2

First off i would invest on a good chain lock. They may be able to open the door but they would have to cut the lock to gain entrance. Which would wake you up. You can also get an alarm to put on your door at the dollar store. And they are loud too. I assume this was in the daytime that you were sleeping. Pest control does not do this work at night. Anyhow your landlord is responsible in this matter. Your landlord should be present when any work is been done. Where i live if any work needs doing the Landlord or his assistant is always present. And a notice is giving as well on what date they will be coming in to do this as well as repairs. You should of received one of these. But if you had an agreement with the landlord that the pest control could enter your apt. then landlord is not at fault. You should of been awake.
Good luck with other answers. Take care.

Answer 3

Hello pal,
Sorry for your gift card but really..It could have been worse..right? He could have stolen something more important. Let's try to focus more on how to make sure you are compensated and more importantly how to make sure this does not happen again.
1 - It is hard to prove that the exterminator stole your gift card, not that it can't happen but by default and lack of proof, your landlord would have the foot the lost. He doesn't have the right to leave some stranger in your house while you're sleeping.

2 - Tell him now, even before he compensates the lost that he caused to you that he should try another exterminator company like http://www.mpeguy.com/. I have been using for years. They're good and honest !

Answer 4

But your landlord gave him the keys, and that's legal. Contact Orkin yourself and file a claim. Do you have renter's insurance? Also check to see if your landlord has insurance. Is there a property management company overseeing this apartment? Contact them if so.

Answer 5

All the above posts say to call the police..get a lawyer..sue the landlord..sue Orkin. This is all well and good, however without any solid proof...I'm afraid you haven't a case against anyone.

Answer 6

First thing first, no one is allowed in your apartment without your consent or lawful jurisdiction. Depending on the policy of outside vendor, the a building attentdant suppose to be present when an outside vendor is in the building. If not, you should've monitored their activities (i do even if it's the building attendant themselves).

Notifying your building attendant is the first step. If you know the exterminator's name, you can contact Orkin. Or report it as robbery to the police. You can press charges, just make sure you have a substantial evidence. Helps it better when pressing charges and in the court.

For drastic measure, next time that I might happen. Have a camcorder or a micro video camera in your area.

Answer 7

Call the police. Get a lawyer. File suit on the pest company and management company.

Answer 8

Change your LOCKS, and charge your landlord firstly. Then secondly call the cops and make a report.
Then thirdly call Orkin and report the guy.
If your landlord calls and isn't honest to you , He/she could benefit from the Orkin's Criminal........
Most companies will try to pay or reduce a bill.

Answer 9

If your apartment was burglarized, call the police. It's almost useless to try to deal with this through the landlord.

Answer 10

here is the best advice i have ever given:
when you move into an apartment ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS change the locks sweety. its simple. i thought ti was difficult at first too but its not.just go to walmart or another retailer and but a similar lock, use a screwdriver (phillips or flathead whatever) and change the locks. if the landlord even finds out you did this and they demand a key give them a key to somethign else. for your personal safety and your belongings well being do this. my mom taught me this a while ago and now i do this wherever i move too. please do this. if he's stealing things with you in the apt, imagine when you werent or arent there? and if you cant trust him not to steal, imagien what other crimes he;s capable of. do this whereever you move and tell your friends and family to do so as well.