RPA Tenant Rights Blog » unlawful entry

Management Privacy Breach

annon — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 10:33:45 +0000

To whom it may concern,

I have been a tenant of this ‘resort apartment’ property since March 2008. A breech in my privacy has occurred due to the ineptness of your management staff and has prompted me to write to you. This past Friday, September 4th, I had returned home from work only to find three strangers in my apartment. My furniture and personal items had been moved and they were cleaning my unit without my prior knowledge. When asked so see the work order, it had mistakenly listed my unit as vacant and to be cleaned. I understand that mistakes do happen, but it should have been clear to the staff that this apartment was not vacant once they entered! My dog was in the apartment at the time and, though no harm had been done, the possibility of him running out or biting one of the workers was high. I had valuable jewelry, cash and my credit card bills out in the open. I don’t know if I need to cancel my credit cards, or if my identity has been compromised. I cannot tell you how violated I felt to have these strangers in my apartment without my knowledge.

What are my rights? The manager called and apologized, and offered me a $100 visa giftcard for my trouble. That made me feel so crappy. Like they were trying to make me go away.

What do you suggest?

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Unlawful entry

Mary — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 03:58:29 +0000

I have been a renter at a townhome complex for coming up on four years now, and maintenance has taken over the decisions of the manager of the property and it becomes extremely frustrating when her nose is in everything. I was under the impression that renting a townhome includes community property of all surrounding buildings, i.e., told we cannot walk on her property or the friend that lives next door. It’s really getting petty. The maintenance person has had her live in boyfriend entering townhomes to do maintenance when he isn’t employed there. Is there any recourse for this action?

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Unlawful entry by landlord

Jill Ouellette — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 21:19:32 +0000

My Land lord keeps entering my apartment when I am not home for no reason. What rights do I have as a renter with a year to year lease in place?

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Invasion of Privacy?

Mary — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:53:39 +0000

I have a large problem. My husband and I live on the ground floor, “garden level” of a brownstone. I work from home, and this summer my landlord has been out in the backyard every other day–no rhyme or reason to his madness (except to get away from the ball and chain, literally) and this has resulted in him using power tools at 9am on Saturdays and also showing up in the backyard as soon as I get up in the morning. On multiple occasions I have been caught naked after a shower or in my underwear with him peering through either the dining room window or kitchen door. I bought a frosted glass cling for the kitchen (as it it directly across from the bathroom) and shut the blinds whenever I can, but sometimes it’s just too dark in there, so I tend to leave them open in the morning and close them accordingly when he shows up. As well, I find him in our hallway a lot and once couldn’t get to my front door because he had spread out his power tools everywhere.
This morning he brought workers into the backyard and dug up all of the slate, and I had slept naked and had to scramble to get a robe on as the landlord and workers were all in plain view. I have implored him to give me notice, not only for my privacy, but also so I can make other arrangements for work. He absolutely does not care, and as a result we’re moving next month.
My question is: how can I make it through this month without losing my mind? Does anyone have any strategies for dealing with him? Because I am often alone in my apartment, I haven’t felt comfortable going to the police about the peeping issue, as it will be a “he said she said” situation with no witnesses. It has been a summer of incredible stress having to sneak around in my own apartment. At this point I feel like I’m being pushed over the edge. Help!

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Landlord Comes in House without Permission! Help!

Tenant — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:11:08 +0000

I rent a duplex, my landlord continues to come into my home, with out permission. just this weekend she came in the change the light bulbs. Why? I’m not sure. I asked her not to do it then it turned into an argument that ended in. " This is my house not yours". I explained my lease gives me rights and she can not control my home. Then the next day she came over in the middle of the day and demanded the rent. It was due it was June the 1st , but it was not late, it was still the 1st. I was sleeping she rang the doorbell and then proceeded to come in on her own. So, of course there was another argument. I explained the rent is not late. I always pay on time, so unless I miss a payment and I am late, don’t come to my home and ask for the rent, Unless you call and make pre-arrangement, she could wait till I drop it off.. I also re-mined her that I have a family and coming into my home whenever is not acceptable, AT ALL. Well now we are not on such good terms, but she reminded me again, that this is her home and she will not be controlled, and I explained I am a good tenant , that pays on time and I don’t want to be bothered with her on a daily basis, for rent, for light bulbs. etc.

What should I do to resolve this matter, the lease has 6 months left. Suggestions would be great. I also want to make a formal complaint in case this relationship ends badly. Help?

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