what can i do about my crazy landlord?
April 16th, 2011 | 
Author: great tenant, have it from her in writing that i am her best tenant ever. she decided to sell. now she has entered my home and thrown away my personal property as well as sending me a letter about a dog i have fostered for a month (with permission) she is an attorney, and i feel threatened. any advice? Sure could use it!
the letter states she was unaware of the dog, ergo, i have violated lease(even though i have written proof this is not true) the real issue in my mind is her realtor tried to pressure me into a new 2 year lease. i declined. ever since then, the harrassment has skyrocketed. the realtor comes often and explains that my tenancy is the only way she(landlord) can sell (which is not my problem) this morning landlord screamed profanities in my face because there were muddy footprints on my porch and has now threatened me with eviction (then stuck a postit on door that said i hope you dont leave)
Posted in Landlord Tenant Law
She does not have the right to enter and remove property. Since she is an attorney, you may have a shot at going after her license to practice. But you need to file and win a small claims action first. then go to the bar.
Can’t give advice unless we know what the letter is about! You should send her a letter and address the loss of your personal items as a starter. She has the right to sell, she can enter the apartment but should have given you notice, she can complain about the dog unless the permission was in writing and the fact that she is an attorney is irrelevant.
Well, her being an attorny discredits her for her actions. She should know better and show some moral and respectful character given her profession. Additionally, she behaved in a manner that is illegal. A landlord can not enter a home without permission unless the lease specifies that the landlord reserves the right to enter the property when necessary. Also, an oral or written contract is binding. What is puzzling to me is she has sent her realtor over to convince you to stay, then she comes over and threatens you with an eviction (like you care) and then ask you to stay. Is she bipolar?? Seriously!
You can go to small claims court but has to prove that she entered your home without your consent and threw away your personal belonging. My advice is for you to run! Run fast!!
Sounds like you are dealing with someone who may have some mental issues.
Not sure what you think you can do about her. If she is doing as you explained, she needs a Dr and meds.
Well, I guess the big question is what are your intentions? Did you want to stay in the home, or are you interested in leaving now, or in the near future?
As stated in other answers, the landlord violated your tenant rights by entering the home you are renting. Even if the lease agreement states that the landlord reserves the right to enter the building, she must give you reasonable notice unless it’s an emergency situation. (i.e. gas or water leak.) Did you have any kind of additional agreement, written or oral, that gave her or the real estate agent additional access for showing the property, since it is for sale?
Here’s a summary of what I believe you can do, based upon the information that you have given us:
1. By entering your home without advance notice, she violated your tenant rights and you can terminate the lease contract early and move out.
2. If she took and threw away your personal property, file a police report. That’s theft.
Now, I’d like to play the devil’s advocate. It sounds like you HAD a decent relationship with the landlord in the past. Has all this craziness come about since she’s put the property up for sale? She may just be under a lot of stress and financial pressures. I can’t imagine anyone wanting to try to sell a property in this economy, unless they were in serious trouble.
I imagine it this way: I’m a landlord who has a great tenant. The rent is always on time or early, they take care of the property, I never even have to set foot on the property. All of a sudden, I’m in dire financial need and I’m forced to put the property up for sale. I’m thinking: “Oh crap, why did I let my tenant foster that dog??? What’s she going to do to the lawn, and the floors in that house I’m trying to sell???” I go to visit the house, wanting to make sure that it is spotless for any potential buyers that want to come over, and I see mud all over the porch. NOT the kind of first impression that I want potential buyers to see.
Yes, her behavior was totally unreasonable. But it could be that the dog and the mud were just that little push over the edge for your landlord. If you want to stay in the house, and think you can have a civil discussion with her, by all means do so. BUT HAVE A 3RD PARTY PRESENT. You want to have a witness if things get out of hand. Let her know you want to help her to sell (sounds like it’ll be in your best interest to get a sane landlord) and ask her what you can do to help.
Sorry for writing a novella in response to your question. I hope that helped.