My landlord is selling my house.?

Question

I moved into this apartment April 1, 2007. On May 15, he told us that he's selling the house. I was really pissed as I planned on staying here for a while and my kids love it here. Well, now, the real estate agent takes it upon himself to just walk into my apartment with prospective buyers. I only know about the 3 times its happened while I've been home. Twice I was sleeping and woken by a man's voice IN MY HOUSE! I've complained to my landlord numerous times, and explained that I'm upset, that this is my home and I feel as though I'm on display. What can I do legally? I know that they have to give me 24 hours notice before they enter, and they don't, so what do I do? I can't afford an attorney, so whatever I do, I have to do on my own. Please help, I'm so upset about this, I feel so violated.

I've already threatened the landlord and the real estate agent......I'm looking for action now! They've been warned twice already, I'm done warning!!!! What is the next step?

I have no problem at all allowing people to look at the apartment. I've been very reasonable and quite friendly so far. However, I don't feel they should be able to come in whenever they want to! What if I'm naked? I have a right to PRIVACY!

Okay, so I sought the advice of an attorney! My lease is good until March 31, 2008, whether the house sells or not, it is a binding contract and in NJ, there is NOTHING the new buyer can do to get me out, unless they buy me out. That wasn't really my concern though, I'm already looking for a new place.
As far as the realtor entering my home, its illegal, which I kinda knew already. But I wrote a letter and sent it certified mail to my landlord advising him of the law in NJ, and made it very clear that if this happens again....I will be contacting the local police department and filing a trespass complaint. I've also written a letter to the realtor's supervisor advising him of the situation, and the actions I intend to take if the problem is not rectified. Now everything is on paper, and I have proof it was sent! I've also posted a copy of the right of entry portion of the tenant's rights booklet that the county law library provided to me, on my front door!

Here's the real kicker, legally, there are no statutes in NJ for the landlord to enter the home for re-renting or selling the property, it is supposed to be addressed in the lease. Well, ha, in my lease it clearly says that the landlord has the right to enter with 24 hours notice to show the property, beginning 45 days before the lease expires. So LEGALLY I do not HAVE to allow these people into my home at all until around mid-February. I will continue to allow them to see the apartment, but it will be on my terms. No one makes me feel violated in my own home. They should've respected my privacy from day 1 and it wouldn't have to be this way....oh well.

Thank you all for your help it was much appreciated, I can't vote for Best Answer, they were all pretty good!!!

Answer 1

how awful. please review the provisions of your lease and check your state attorney general's office web site for info on tennants' rights. good luck.

Answer 2

See nolo.com for do it yourself legal advice in this area. there books are often in public libraries.

but you do know the lease stays with the house, right? If you have a lease, the new owner is obligated to honor it until it ends.

If you get yourself evicted, it only makes things easier for the seller if the buyer would rather not wait for the entant lease to expire before moving in.

In the mean time, walk into any local real estate office and tell them the situation and ask what the rules regarding notice are in your area.

Answer 3

If they enter without proper notice call the police and complain they are trespassing.

When I lived in a house that was for sale I posted a sign above the lock box with the code section from the law that showed notice was required. I also indicated the alarm is armed and any entry without notice would be reported to the police as trespassing. The problem stopped.

Answer 4

Go to your landlord and tell him if Realtors keep invading your privacy and do not give notice, you will bring suit against him. Look at the For Sale sign, if there is one, and call that Real Estate Co. Ask to speak to the broker and tell him what is going on and to correct it immediately.

Answer 5

Check with Housing Authority,and with Legal Aid.
Next time,have one of those bars across the door.

Answer 6

You must be given fair warning - usually 24 hours notice. However, you cannot refuse to let the house be shown. Nor can you damage the property, or make it obviously unpresentable, in order to deter buyers.

You should look for another place - it is the owner's house, not yours, and he/she is entitled to sell it if they wish. They will serve you a notice to quit anyway when the sale is finalized.

Answer 7

you will get to stay there till July, however the recent proprietor isn't obligated to renew the hire, so i could make preparations to bypass. the owner is putting it on the industry now because of the fact it takes approximately 60 to ninety days to sell maximum properties.

Answer 8

wow.. landlords... you can never get enouhg of em...
you could complain to the town council or your local government
that is WRONG!
your privacy is being violated... but a word of caution:
your landlord could easliy kick you out if you complain in an unappropriate manner

Answer 9

I would clock em next time they walked in! They do not have the right to barge in!

Answer 10

Next, time you wake up to a stranger in your home, Shoot to kill, that'll stop that crap in a hurry, you can plead self defense (Your Honor I woke up and there he was, in my fear I panicked and shot him, he had no business there!!) This will also get you an attorney!!!