I just caught my landlord trying to enter my apartment. What should I do?
May 3rd, 2011 | 
Author: I happened to take my headphones off when I heard a key going into the door over and over. I was startled because I didn’t know what that sound was, until I went to the door and looked through the peephole and found my landlord trying to use a key to open my door. (Apparently he didn’t know I was home.) I opened the door just as he was about to and he told me he was passing out a survey he needed to have me complete for the loan for the building. That was all he needed. I didn’t act upset because I was taken by surprise and didn’t have a chance to think about it, but I KNOW you can’t just enter a unit without giving notice, unless it’s an emergency, which this was not. (I should also point out this landlord is an attorney by day, so he of all people should know he shouldn’t be doing this.) I feel violated and angry. What should I do? How would YOU handle this situation?
Posted in Landlord Tenant Law
Remind landlord he needs to give you 24 hours notice. Suggest you install a security chain
Did he actually have the survery and did he give it to you? Nonetheless you are right, he shouldn’t be doing it. Install cameras.
One of the most helpful things I’ve learned over the years is how to change a lock!
You’re right, landlords have ABSOLUTELY NO BUSINESS entering your apartment without your permission. It’s called “breaking and entering.”
Your landlord KNOWS THE RULES, he’s just hoping you don’t know your rights!
I’d remind him that he needs to get my permission to enter my apartment, change the locks, and then let it go. If he does it again, report him to the local police.
I’ve been thru court on this one, and I also learned that you do NOT have to give the landlord a key to the new lock.
Of course, he’ll blubber “but what if there’s an emergency?”
Remind him that in an emergency, the fire department has the equipment to get into your apartment if you are not home.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!!! If you don’t, these creeps will keep abusing you.
He’s an attorney and he thought you’d actually buy that excuse? Wow! What a load of bull. He could have simply shoved the paper under the door. Yes, install a security chain, but that won’t help if you’re out. Hmmmm. Remind him of the law in writing, and warn him that if he does not give you 24 hours’ notice in future that you will move. Then do it. Sorry you’ve had this experience. That would truly creep me out! Good luck.
Why does he need to enter people’s apartments to leave a survey? Why not put it on the door? Or mail it? His story is BS. Can’t tell you what to do without knowing your city and state, as the Landlord/Tenant laws differ. If it were me, I would do the following:
1. Send a certified letter instructing him that he broke the law, as an attorney he knows this, and to not do it again
2. Make sure my security bar is put up every time I am home – what if I were in the shower? I use this one http://www.amazon.com/Master-Lock-265DCCSEN-Dual-Function-Security/dp/B0002YUX8I. My landlord was constantly leaving (illegal) entry notices when my child was home alone during school breaks. Training him to put up this bar effectively relieves me from worrying someone’s going to barge in on him.
Before you can do anything, you need to know your rights. Look up the Landlord/Tenant laws in your area and educate yourself.
EDIT: Wisdom Woman is incorrect. In some states, such as California, you DO have to give your landlord a key. It’s not only illegal to change locks without giving a key here, it’s illegal to install other barriers to entry such as security chains, knob locks, etc. That’s why I have a security bar. Unfortunately it can’t stop illegal entry when you’re not home, but you can take a shower or leave your teen home safely.