Renters: How do you prevent the landlord from entering?

[J0hnny]

Guys, I live in NYC and my lease is up in two months. I am not going to renew the lease, which means the landlord has the right to show the apartment.

However, I only want the landlord to let prospective tenants into the apartment at my convenience. The landlord wants to show it at her own convenience (when I'm not home). I've told the landlord that I'm free every weekday after 4:30pm and will make any reasonable requests for weekend appointments.

I'm still afraid the landlord will sneak into the apartment when I'm not home. She has a copy of the keys and her mother is actually our neighbor!

I don't have anything to hide, but I just want to be there to supervise the visits. It may sound anal but that way I can ensure none of my gadgets are stolen, damaged, etc. Plus, I'm a bit messy.

Knowing that the landlord will probably sneak someone in, is there a way to prevent entry besides changing the lock and pursuing legal means?

I might want to set up a web cam, but that's going a bit far. Are there easier ways? Cmon genius' of ATOT, help!

 

[CrackRabbit]

Do they have to provide 24 hours notice in NY?
I thought most states had laws stating that the landlord or people working for them must give a minimum of 24 hours prior notice before entering. Check your lease!

 

[Flyback]

Put up a couple of giant in-your-face gay porn posters and a blown-up version of goatse if you're that worried about it

 

[EagleKeeper]

As long as the landlord provides you with advance notice of entry for a non-emergency, you have no say.

You can not change the locks, it is not your place of ownership.

 

[tw1164]

Originally posted by: Flyback
Put up a couple of giant in-your-face gay porn posters and a blown-up version of goatse if you're that worried about it

LOL

 

[49erinnc]

I was under the impression that as a tenant, you have very few rights compared to the landlord. I would think that he/she could enter any time they wanted, as long as they didn't harm you or your valuables.

 

[waggy]

odds are the lease has a provision that says that if you are leaving they have a right to show the apartment.

 

[spaceman]

run him through with a spear

 

[SuperNaruto]

setup webcam to record .... u never know what kinky stuff goes on

 

[sao123]

Originally posted by: waggy
odds are the lease has a provision that says that if you are leaving they have a right to show the apartment.

:thumbsup:
You have no legal grounds to stand on.

 

[J0hnny]

Originally posted by: sao123

Originally posted by: waggy
odds are the lease has a provision that says that if you are leaving they have a right to show the apartment.

:thumbsup:
You have no legal grounds to stand on.

No, that's not true. I've read the tenant/landlord regulations in NYC and by law, I have a right to privacy and as long as I make reasonable accomodations to the landlord, I have a right to refuse the 24 hour notice to show the apartment.

The landlord has the right of entry for emergencies and scheduled maintenance and inspection.

My lease does not specify entry (their mistake).


Again, I just want ideas to ensure I can "lock" it to prvent entry without actually changing a lock.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: J0hnny

Originally posted by: sao123

Originally posted by: waggy
odds are the lease has a provision that says that if you are leaving they have a right to show the apartment.

:thumbsup:
You have no legal grounds to stand on.

No, that's not true. I've read the tenant/landlord regulations in NYC and by law, I have a right to privacy and as long as I make reasonable accomodations to the landlord, I have a right to refuse the 24 hour notice to show the apartment.

The landlord has the right of entry for emergencies and scheduled maintenance and inspection.

My lease does not specify entry (their mistake).


Again, I just want ideas to ensure I can "lock" it to prvent entry without actually changing a lock.

if hte lease does nto specify entry (i would be shocked if it did not) then maybe.

but then i would think that gets into a grey area. you are denying them the right to rent out the apartment when you leave. if you keep them out until you move out it will take them a while to re-rent it. they are going to lose money because you want to be a dick.

personally i woiuldnt fvck with them.

 

[Looney]

Originally posted by: sao123

Originally posted by: waggy
odds are the lease has a provision that says that if you are leaving they have a right to show the apartment.

:thumbsup:
You have no legal grounds to stand on.

Well i've leased, and i always makes sure it explicitly says in the contract that they can't enter without my permission, unless it's an emergency.

 

[Kelemvor]

Just keep the place clean and don't worry about it. If the LL is with them, no one shoudl steal anything. And if you find something is missing, then take it up with the Landlord right away.

Only thing you can do for a real answer is call an attorney in your area and ask them. No one here is qualified to give you advice on this topic (but I'm sure that won't stop others from asking anyway)

 

[Phokus]

Originally posted by: Flyback
Put up a couple of giant in-your-face gay porn posters and a blown-up version of goatse if you're that worried about it

This might work... after sneaking in once, she'll reconsider asking for permission so you have enough time to take down the posters at your convenience

 

[Drakkon]

I'd be hesistant to let the landlord show my place with all my stuff in plain view. It doesnt matter if she was there or not - the people she is showing it to could be casing the place seeing what could be stolen if they were to break in. Theres no way to "lock" it and still let her in so i'd say the best you can do is set up some sort of motion detection camera to catch em in the act and when they are caught report her to the police and have her arrested that would "deter" her from entering without your permission again.

 

[UncleWai]

Sentry gun? It's not your fault if they are dead.

 

[Qwest]

you're in nyc? tell the owner to have an open house on craigslist at your convenience on a weeknight. you'll get 50 people applicants that night and be done with it...

 

[J0hnny]

Originally posted by: Drakkon
I'd be hesistant to let the landlord show my place with all my stuff in plain view. It doesnt matter if she was there or not - the people she is showing it to could be casing the place seeing what could be stolen if they were to break in. Theres no way to "lock" it and still let her in so i'd say the best you can do is set up some sort of motion detection camera to catch em in the act and when they are caught report her to the police and have her arrested that would "deter" her from entering without your permission again.

Thank you for one of the few reasonable answers!

 

[Juddog]

My landlord did this at one apartment I lived in, and let the cat out like a friggin idiot. I spent two hours wandering the street looking for my cat, finally found it about 4 hours later when it came back hungry. ARGH!

 

[LS20]

get a dog

or a BOA

 

[J0hnny]

I think I've got the solution: Webcam with motion detector. Picking up the webcam at circuit city at installing dorgem software to utilize the webcam as a secutiry camera.

http://www.simplehelp.net/2006/09/27/ho...tecting-and-recording-security-camera/

 

[Kelemvor]

You can get some Creative webcams for free these days, check out Hot Deals or FW, and msot come with Motion Detection software.

 

[AMCRambler]

Just lock up your stuff. They'd probably steal the damn webcam and computer too. Lock up anything that could be stolen. You're going to be moving anyway. You can rent a decent size storage unit for under a 100 bucks a month and keep everything safe there.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

contact your local tennant's association.