Landlord issues

Firstly, I think my landlord is a sneaky bastard. I've caught in a couple of lies already (i.e., telling another tenant that he's raising my rent in an effort to raise their rent, doing the "bait n' switch" on another apartment). So today, when I got home from work, my living room light was on. I never leave my lights on. I'm vigilent about turning them off when I'm not home. I also leave fairly early in the morning so it would be hard for me not to notice all the lights were on. He's the only other person with keys. I'm considering changing the cylinder and just not telling him. Is it a really big deal?

I'd call them up and say "I was very disturbed to come home today and find a light on in my house.....Was somebody in my apartment?" and if they say yes, read them the riot act about not entering without your permission except for true emergencies (fire, flood, etc.). If they deny it, you've at least let them know you're on to them.

I had a fucked up landlord for 10 years...now I have a great one. I hate those type of games.

I did send him an email asking if he'd been in the apartment. He hasn't answered me yet. It just kind of weirds me out because I'm positive that I turned everything off and it isn't the first time I've come home to the lights on. I'm actually kind of more pissed than weirded out.

has he ever admitted going in before? good for you for emailing, because if it becomes an issue, you have it in writing (if he's dumb enough to respond via email)

Jeez, you should have seen the response I got when I emailed him about my "rent increase" after another tenant asked me about it. He called her every name in the book...but I kept it just in case. I think he's a bit unhinged.

We had a landlady a few years ago that went into our apartment a couple of times without our consent. We changed our locks and, of course, didn't give her the keys. She threatened to take us to court saying she always keeps copies of tenent's keys and we told her to go ahead and take us to court (she never did). The bottom line is, as long as you're paying your rent, it makes the apartment your property and the landlord has no right to go in uninvited. If a true emergency arises, he can call you for you to come home and let him in. My advice is have your locks changed and take back your peace of mind.

change your locks and don't lose any sleep over it. the only time he is allowed to enter your apartment is in an emergency, water pouring down, fire, that kind of thing. You can take the existing cylinder(s) and have them repinned. the cheapest way and they will look the same.

He responded to my email stating that he'd "never go in your apartment without your permission." I'm still suspicious because he's lied about stuff in the past. I'm changing the locks.

you can counter that with "well, if you didn't, we've had a break in and I'm calling the police'

<---giggling

Also, quit with all the emails. Send him a cert. letter with your concerns. Ask if any supers or repair guys have a key. You actually should of called the cops too. they won't do anything but they will probably question the LL. You need to show this guy you mean business. So far everything you've said and done is not admissable in court.

Actually I would not change the locks, I would purchase a small cheap spy cam and place it near the entrance. This way if he enters the apartment, you can go straight to the police and bring him up on charges.

yeah! they make a cheap one that is motion sensitive, so it only turns on when something moves.

You should speak with the local Housing Authority or similar agency. You will need to advise your landlord in writing (certified letter with delivery confirmation) that there is a problem. Then you will wait a little while. Then you can send them another letter that they have until x date to complete repairs or you will have the repairs done yourself and deduct the amount from your rent. Get an estimate done for the work (or gather an estimate of the materials) and send it to your landlord with a third letter stating you will have this repair done and deduct it from your rent for month x. Once you have the repair done, submit a copy of the receipt via certified mail along with the reduced rent check.

This should cover you, but be sure to check with the HA.


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