Current Events > My landlord enters my apartment whenever he wants.

(+) Yeah! (+)

He brings friends, and lets other people in. Twice I've found the place unlocked, including tonight and they said they had been in there earlier.

My mom went by a few nights ago, and saw people in my kitchen. When stopped and went in, they'd left out the back door.

I'm starting to get pissed off about it. It's the landlord, and his friend both just come and go as they please. Don't even give a heads up.

I'm not currently living there, but I'm running a small business from it. I had planned on maybe staying there done this summer, but now I'm afraid they'd walk in on me and think that I'M the intruder. >_>
So, I guess that's out. He mentioned that he'd change the locks, but I think I'm going to see if he'd be ok if I change them myself. This is ridiculous.

Pretty sure that's illegal.

Put in a security system.
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/2/3/6/AAXm8_AADyu8.jpg

That is super illegal

DrizztLink posted...

Pretty sure that's illegal.

I'm think it is too.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

That's my manager at work.

that's weird

Sounds like you just arent tipping him enough.

/s

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/4/6/1/AABUaRAAEiJt.jpg

What state are you in

Pretty sure that's super illegal no matter what.

divot1338 posted...

Put in a security system.
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/2/3/6/AAXm8_AADyu8.jpg

No pets allowed, and my dog would destroy the place anyway.

Unsuprised_Pika posted...

That is super illegal

Good to know. We haven't confronted him about it yet, but I feel that's coming soon.

That shit is actually illegal.

My female friend had a problem like this (but something even worse happened). She called the police on that asshole.

StormSignal posted...

that's weird

Very, it makes me super uncomfortable.

rexcrk posted...

Sounds like you just arent tipping him enough.

/s

I was late on my rent last month, because I forgot what day it was. lol
I'm not used to renting, so I was a day late and he reminded me.

DrizztLink posted...

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/4/6/1/AABUaRAAEiJt.jpg

Also good info. The thing is, I'm only there occasionally throughout the week. So he still just uses it as his own while I'm not there. It's frustrating and I'm kind of afraid to leave any of my stuff there.

itachi15243 posted...

What state are you in

Pretty sure that's super illegal no matter what.

Virginia.

document it, get evidence, hire a lawyer

KogaSteelfang posted...

Virginia.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/4/6/7/AABUaRAAEiJz.jpg
Direct from the state statutes.

Dude I live in Arkansas, the state with by far the worst renter laws in the country and they can't even do that here, you need to speak to a lawyer pronto

Some landlords need to learn their boundaries. Sounds like the first landlord I had when I went to college.

SpiritSephiroth posted...

That shit is actually illegal.

My female friend had a problem like this (but something even worse happened). She called the police on that asshole.

I kind of feel like he'll do worse if anything is said. But, if it comes to that to keep him out then it comes to that. I've got the lease for a year, so he doesn't have the right to kick me out till then.

DrizztLink posted...

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/4/6/7/AABUaRAAEiJz.jpg
Direct from the state statutes.

Thank you so much. Will definitely keep this handy.

BignutzisBack posted...

Dude I live in Arkansas, the state with by far the worst renter laws in the country and they can't even do that here, you need to speak to a lawyer pronto

It was actually a lawyer's office before I rented it. He moved across the street.

Ask your landlord if this is a Stand Your Ground state.

That should put an end to things right there.

Don't do it. There's a chance that I'll get arrested if you do.

Are you renting like, the upstairs of someone's house or something?

I'm just wondering why a landlord would even be doing that

jayj350 posted...

Some landlords need to learn their boundaries. Sounds like the first landlord I had when I went to college.

I suppose he thinks since he owns it that he can still do whatever he wants, despite it being someone else's business.

divot1338 posted...

Ask your landlord if this is a Stand Your Ground state.

That should put an end to things right there.

I'd rather not have to threaten anything. Hopefully just changing the locks will solve it.

Do I have the right to change them without his permission? If he changes them he'd probably make copies for him and his friends and it'd still be the same thing.

Darkraiomb posted...

Don't do it. There's a chance that I'll get arrested if you do.

Why would he care if you got arrested?

BignutzisBack posted...

Why would he care if you got arrested?

Uhhh, because I'm awesome?

Darkraiomb posted...

Don't do it. There's a chance that I'll get arrested if you do.

Thats not illegal.

Its not even a threat.

I'd rather not have to threaten anything. Hopefully just changing the locks will solve it.

Youre having him change the locks. Hes going to keep copies of the key.

Darkraiomb posted...

Don't do it. There's a chance that I'll get arrested if you do.

I guess we'll just have to talk to him and tell him to stop. It's one thing for him to drop in when we're open(which he does constantly), but he's in there always regardless then leaves if he spots us arriving. Leaves it unlocked too.

DarkChozoGhost posted...

Are you renting like, the upstairs of someone's house or something?

I'm just wondering why a landlord would even be doing that

Nope, it's an office building on main street. It's sectioned off into thirds, upstairs and downstairs. He runs a barbershop on the corner. Mom is renting the center section for her business. I'm renting the apartment in the far corner next to mom's. Landlord lives upstairs above his barbershop. His friend lives above mom's section. And another tenant lives above mine, but he doesn't cause any problems except once he came in when we thought the door was locked before opening.

divot1338 posted...

Youre having him change the locks. Hes going to keep copies of the key.

I'm not having him do anything. Mom called and asked why he left the door unlocked tonight, he admitted they were in there today. But said he'd change the locks anyway, but that won't solve anything. He'll just keep a copy. Plus, he's got keys to mom's side and there's a connecting door between them and he can still access it from her side.

divot1338 posted...

Stand Your Ground

should be a "castle law" state. you can use deadly force inside the house under certain circumstances to defend people or property.

also to note: the complex i live in usually gives 48-72 hours notice if they need to show up. even 5 days notice on big inspections (real fun one trying to clean up before they check to see what needs repairs etc).

They're just hanging out in there? Yeah, have a talk with him about how it's not fucking cool. If it persists, tell him how illegal it is and threaten taking action.

Pretty sure thats illegal, but if you wont take action, thats on you.

DarkChozoGhost posted...

They're just hanging out in there? Yeah, have a talk with him about how it's not fucking cool. If it persists, tell him how illegal it is and threaten taking action.

Yep! Just go in and hang out. Look through the place and my stuff.

As a landlord this is majorly fucked up

That sounds highly illegal but what do I know, IANAL.

Position your chair in front of the door and sit there, naked, with a full furry costume nearby, when you hear him coming start...uhhh...busting all over the furry costume and start howling like a wolf.

Your landlord will never break into your place again.

What a weirdo...

I would recommend seeing if the property is under some type of Housing Authority, but since it sounds like a commercial property I don't know if that necessarily applies. Make sure all your future communications with your landlord are through email or text - that way, if this escalates to an eviction, you have evidence that establishes you've communicated your grievances, and that any legal action against you is retaliatory.

KogaSteelfang posted...

Do I have the right to change them without his permission? If he changes them he'd probably make copies for him and his friends and it'd still be the same thing.

No, because you don't own the property. Changing the locks on your landlord is just as bad and will get you in trouble.

The two things you need to make sure before you do anything is to see if the landlord actually put a provision in his contract with you, and whether that's legal in your state/county/city (because chances are it's not). There's a chance that your landlord may have put it in your lease and might actually claim he can do it.

And, more importantly, consult your lawyer.

ALAB

caps

Amakusa posted...

No, because you don't own the property. Changing the locks on your landlord is just as bad and will get you in trouble.

Ah, I see. Hm, I don't think talking with him will help anything either, but I suppose it's my only option at this point.

I bought some pictures for the walls, and set them inside. That night mom got a text from the friend asking if she could have them. She sent us a selfie with her holding my pictures while still in my apartment. Mom told her no, and to get out, but she claimed the picture was taken earlier in the day and she wasn't in there... We had just dropped the pictures off like an hour before. >_>

I think the landlord is tc's mom

KogaSteelfang posted...

Ah, I see. Hm, I don't think talking with him will help anything either, but I suppose it's my only option at this point.

I bought some pictures for the walls, and set them inside. That night mom got a text from the friend asking if she could have them. She sent us a selfie with her holding my pictures while still in my apartment. Mom told her no, and to get out, but she claimed the picture was taken earlier in the day and she wasn't in there... We had just dropped the pictures off like an hour before. >_>

Keep an eye on the place when you're not around and call the cops when you see them enter.

The landlord absolutely cannot enter your apartment unannounced without a damn good reason. You may also want to look into whether you have any tenant advocacy groups around you and give a call to your local Legal Aid Society to see what your options are.

Maybe also set up some cameras to document them entering your unit without permission.

Also, do you get receipts when you pay your rent? If not, you should start.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

Well, I live outside of town. My original plan was to move into the apartment. But then since mom was opening a business next door, someone suggested that I open one too and basically have almost the entire ground floor to use.

The landlord left a bunch of furniture for us to use. But the friend got the keys from him and went in and cleared everything out that she wanted. Then they kept the keys from us and we had to keep asking to be let in. But we finally told him we needed the keys, and got our own set. Now everytime we go there and do anything, one or both of them go in after we leave to see if theres anything they like.

The friend has been told repeatedly to stay out of my side, but she still goes in. So does he, and they've apparently just been hanging out in my kitchen.

itcheyness posted...

Keep an eye on the place when you're not around and call the cops when you see them enter.

That will be difficult. It's a small town, there's literally just open space around and his apartment overlooks where we'd be watching from. Unless we just do random drive bys hoping to catch a light on.

itcheyness posted...

Maybe also set up some cameras to document them entering your unit without permission.

Cameras for sure once we can get some set up. Preferably ones we can watch from home too... Though that'd be a bit weird if I ever did things sorted and decided to stay some. Wouldn't want to be watched through the cameras myself.

itcheyness posted...

Also, do you get receipts when you pay your rent? If not, you should start.

I'll have to start asking for one.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]


It's hard not to wish for the absolute worst to happen to people like that and based off his figure I'd say he's likely to have a shorter life than a longer one, so at least there's that.

Kradek posted...

It's hard not to wish for the absolute worst to happen to people like that and based off his figure I'd say he's likely to have a shorter life than a longer one, so at least there's that.

That meme originates on a sub-reddit devoted to pretending to be shit-heel landlords.

https://www.reddit.com/r/LoveForLandchads/

itcheyness posted...

That meme originates on a sub-reddit devoted to pretending to be shit-heel landlords.

https://www.reddit.com/r/LoveForLandchads/

Ah, thanks for that. Guess I've been had by the Interwebs.

this reminds me of that infamous reddit thread where the big reveal was that the tenant actually had a carbon monoxide leak

FL81 posted...

this reminds me of that infamous reddit thread where the big reveal was that the tenant actually had a carbon monoxide leak

Top 10 all time reddit thread for sure

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

It's not fair to post pics of me on CE without my consent!