I've been noticing that my landlord enters my apartment when I'm not there and I was wondering what can be done about it. Even though she denies it, I notice that my things are placed where I didn't leave them and my food is open when I just bought it. Plus, she is the only one with the extra key.
2007-11-29 03:45:20 · 11 answers · asked by BIANCA 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
When I tell her that I want the locks changed she gets mad and tells me it's going to me $90.00
2007-11-30 04:00:55 · update #1
You need to move. I went through the same thing at my last apartment, and as soon as my lease ran out, I ran out! I called legal aide, and my state has no privacy law. However, it stated in the lease that I was to be notified first before entry unless it was an emergency-like a fire. My landlord denied it, and once I found he was faulty, I decided the legal warship would not be worth it for the slumlord. You don't want to stay in a place like that. Call a lawyer, and see what rights you have. You may be able to terminate your lease early, if the judge rules in your favor. You could argue you do not feel safe. They should not enter without your prior knowledge, but some slumlords do not care. That is why it is a good idea for you to think about moving.
P.S. Stick a peice of clear tape (sticky side up!) on the floor next to your front door before you leave out. If that tape is gone when you return, it is on the bottom of someone's shoe. That is how you know someone other than yourself has been in your place.
Good Luck!
2007-11-29 03:55:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
(1) If your lease doesn't prohibit it, change the locks.
(2) If it does, insist your landlord change them. Then you will KNOW you and her are the only ones with a key, and ANYTHING taken or disturbed will have been done by her.
(3) Call the police. Tell them someone has been coming into your apartment.
Police involvement will usually be enough to stop this kind of thing, although I gotta tell ya- a landlord breaking into a unit and eating a tenant's food is just plain weird.
2007-11-30 07:03:52 · answer #2 · answered by Sagebrush Kid 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most leases give the landlord permission to enter the property but only after they have set an appointment with you or if you have requested a repair. If you are sure that your landlord is doing this you need to answer two questions. One, does the landlord rent out other properties and two, are you willing to move if you have to. You can contact your housing athority for your county and explain to them what is going on. If this person landlords more then one property ask the other tenents if they are having same problem. Invest in a camera for your computer if you don't already have one. The software that comes with it can help you set the camera up to catch whoever it is in the act. When you get the evidence you can either confront her/him or turn it over to the police. Even though she/he is your landlord, they are not allowed to steal from you. The reason I say you need to be able to move when you start this is she/he is going to be angry. They won't be able to force you to move as long as you are not violating your lease, but she/he can make life difficult for you. Personally I would not tolerate a landlord doing this. I would catch her/him on tape and confront them. If it does not stop, take legal action.
2007-11-29 11:57:20 · answer #3 · answered by thenora 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you certain she is the only one with an extra key ? If the unit locks were not rekeyed when the last tenant vacated, it's entirely possible that a former tenant has a key to the premises. I'd advise further discussion with the landlord, asking to have the locks rekeyed because unauthorized entry is occurring.
At that point, you will know that only she and you have keys to the premises. If the entries continue, then you know exactly who is entering.
2007-11-29 11:53:54 · answer #4 · answered by acermill 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That is illegal, what I would do is see if you can rent/borrow a motion detector camera and set it up in your residence.
There was a landlord recently that was arrested and sentenced to one-year in jail for doing that to a girl...plus he was seen wearing her underwear around the house when she was at work.
2007-11-29 11:55:44 · answer #5 · answered by Expert8675309 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Set up a hidden camera on your front door and catch her/him in the act. Then you can contact you local Fair Housing Division and they can further assist you. Don't let them get away with it. If you just move they will do it to other people. And if it is not them then you will know what is going on.
2007-11-29 11:56:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is illegal IF she's doing it. Can you prove it's her? If not, you may be out of luck. If you can, go to the landlord/tenant board and they'll likely level a fine against her.
2007-11-29 11:53:22 · answer #7 · answered by Lex 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I WOULD SET UP A CAMERA AND CATCH HER THEN HAVE HER CHARGED. SHE HAS NO RIGHT TO COME INTO YOUR APARTMENT WITHOUT PERMISSION OR NOTICE(UNLESS ITS AN EMERGENCY). OR YOU COULD CATCH HER OTHER WAYS BY HAVING A FRIEND OVER AND LEAVING MAKING HER THINK THAT YOU HAVE LEFT... YOU KNOW A LITTLE TRICKERY... THATS WHAT I WOULD DO THEN I WOULD CALL THE COPS ONCE YOU CAUGHT HER.
2007-11-29 12:23:58 · answer #8 · answered by Jen 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
have someone watch your place for you and see if your landlord is the one.........or else park your vehicle somewhere else and be sitting there when your landlord walks in........
2007-11-29 11:54:05 · answer #9 · answered by texhoney620 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is illegal- how about changing the locks- this would certainly STOP any intrusion
2007-11-29 16:12:05 · answer #10 · answered by sylviavnpttn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋