Weimaraner Mom
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No by law the landlord must provide you with 24 - 48 hours WRITTEN notice that they will be entering your apartment for routine maintenance. If you make a repair request they must still notify you via telephone around what time they will be there. Did he knock at all?
Google your tenant landlord law + your state it will give you the laws you and your LL must follow.
This is from CA Landlord law:
6. Tenant Privacy and the Landlord’s Right to Enter the Dwelling
The landlord may enter the tenant’s premises only for specific reasons, during normal business hours and only after the tenant has been given at least 24 hour advance notice of the landlord’s intent to enter the dwelling {Civil Code Sec. 1954}. The only reasons a landlord may enter the dwelling are; 1. In an emergency, 2. To make necessary repairs, 3. To make agreed repairs, 4. To show the rental to prospective tenants, mortgagees or purchasers, 5. When the tenant has abandoned or vacated the premises or 6. Pursuant to court order.
I suggest you print up your Laws and take them into the management company accompanied by a letter explaining that if they do not provide you with minimum 24 hours notice you will file a complaint. |
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RockDaddy
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This sounds really suspicious. I wonder what would have really happened if you weren't home when this guy came in.
I would write a letter of formal complaint to the apartment management, and I would forward a copy to your police department.
If possible, I would also have an additional lock installed on your door, like a deadbolt. Of course, don't let that maintenance man install it! |
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dinner nanny
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Check the details of your contract and if it does not specifically mention the right of the maintenance people to enter your appartment without first informing you, write a letter of complaint to the person in charge at the rental office, stating your concerns and also telling them about the unhelpfulness of the lady in the office. |
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Patrick L
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Get your apartment to install a deadbolt that can only be operated from inside. That way, you can lock everyone out when you are home, and when you are out, they can still get in. |
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That's Miss Cissoko to you!
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I don't want to freak you out at all but that's just not right. Normally they would knock on the door to see if anyone;s home and if not, they'll just come in. You were sleeping at the time and maybe he did knock but you didn't hear him. Talk to the rental office manager and see what they say. If they don't address the situation then go to someone above them. |
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LD
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I think it is a state by state thing, but as far as i know they do need to give 24 hour notice.
Consider getting a chain lock for the door. |
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Sandra D
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Get a chain & a rod that goes under the doorknob & braces against the floor.
No. A Maint man should not just enter whenver he feels like it. Here in the south he would be shot. |
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golferwhoworks
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how did he know it needed to be fixed? sounds like he has been there snooping while you were not home!!! |
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estielmo
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Read your lease. They are generally required to give 24 hour notice. Checking the toilet paper hanger seems pretty sketchy to me.
I'd use that second lock/chain on your door when you are there. And be sure your renters insurance is paid-up. And mention that people get killed everyday for entering apartments without knocking. |
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schwildcat1977
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Everyone telling you to get an additional lock is wrong!!! you CANNOT install an additional lock without checking with the landlord. If they say its OK -THEN you can install a lock, but then they need to have a key so it would be mute point anyway. Don't waste your money. A chain would be a good idea, but again - make sure you get it approved.
They do NOT have to give you 24 hrs notice to fix something.
HOWEVER - the fact that it was not important and that you did not ask for it to be fixed IS an issue. If the person in the office is not doing anything about it - send a letter to whoever is above her and make sure it gets noted in both her file and the maintenance man. You CAN request from the office not to do any repairs before a certain time in the morning. |
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sheloves_dablues
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Tenants must be given 24 hours notice of entry for maintenance personnel. The only person who can enter the premises is the landlord, and they must have reason to believe it's an emergency.
If you did not report a maintenance issue to your landlord, and they did not give you 24 hours notice, the maintenance person breached the law and can be charged with breaking and entering.
I'm concerned that the lady in the rental office was of no help. How would maintenance know to fix an item that you never reported needed fixing? The rental office staff had to have known. If they didn't, it's an indication that someone has been in your apartment before. |
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Chefdad
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With the exception of an emergency (ie fire or pipe bursting ) They are not allowed to just enter. IT IS CALLED BREAKING AND ENTERING. even if he has a key. I would go(don't call you wont get anywhere) to the police and file a complaint against him. The fact that he knew to fix the tp roll( how odd that he would pick this) and that there was no request says that he has been casing your apartment. You can also get a "nanny cam" and put it where you can see who is coming and going when you are gone. this would give you the evidence you need. |
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