Renters: How do you prevent the landlord from entering?

[Tommouse]

Get the missile launching USB thingy, that should make them think twice

http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/cubegoodies/86b8/

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: Tommouse
Get the missile launching USB thingy, that should make them think twice

http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/cubegoodies/86b8/

that is so cool. i want one heh

 

[Gibsons]

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

Or put up a giant poster that says "this apartment is infested with fungus, don't rent here."

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Webcam + Timershot / other software to record entry.

As long as you're nice about it, I don't see why they wouldn't at least try to arrange it so that they can show with you present. However, them renting it out > your "convenience" so don't expect them to move mountains to accomodate you.

- M4H

 

[FoBoT]

you can't really do that, the owner is called the owner because they own the place

you can read your lease and check your state laws, but if the owner is following those rules, you can't do anything aboot it

 

[Gibson486]

Just hide everything....

I do not see what the big problem is. If you are so concerned, just buy a big rubbermaid box and throw everythign in there and put it in the corner of a closet or under a table. As for being messy, just clean the place up.

 

[novasatori]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: Tommouse
Get the missile launching USB thingy, that should make them think twice

http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/cubegoodies/86b8/

that is so cool. i want one heh

clearly the solution lies somewhere in the middle with a hybrid motion sensing web cam with attached USB missile launching thingy.

 

[nonameo]

Garlic rope. We all know that landlards = vampires

 

[aceO07]

From the landlord's side, they need to find suitable tenants to fill your space immediately after you leave. If they do not, then they stand to lose a month or two of rent. It's all about money. You're not going to be a continuing source of income. They need to fit the schedule to the next person who will potentially be paying.

 

[thomsbrain]

if she gives you 24 hours, she can legally enter, whether or not you are home.

 

[sao123]

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.

you cant have someone arrested for tresspassing on property that they own.



The NY state law says:

RIGHT TO PRIVACY

Tenants have the right to privacy within their apartments. A landlord, however, may enter a tenant's apartment with reasonable prior notice, and at a reasonable time: (a) to provide necessary or agreed upon repairs or services; or (b) in accordance with the lease; or (c) to show the apartment to prospective purchasers or tenants. In emergencies, such as fires, the landlord may enter the apartment without the tenant's consent.


It doesnt say you can deny them entrance. It says they can enter at any time provided it is during reasonable times and with reasonable notice.

 

[Thegonagle]

Originally posted by: 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!

If that's reasonable, you're crazy.

 

[jagec]

Unfortunately, "Buy your own house" is pretty much the only answer.

 

[BKLounger]

if you really want to mess with the landlord. Get a couple 6 inch wooden dowels paint them red, attach a couple wires to them and put an alarm clock next to them. Might make them think twice about coming in unexpectedly.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: 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!

This is in most if not all states...however; under 4 units usually fall under different rules.

I have not known of anyone renting where the landlord has not entered time to time unannounced.

The way I see it is it goes with renting. Seeing some of the crap renter's pull (like taking fully remodeled apartments to wreckage in a few months), I can't blame them.

I wouldn't see any landlord looking to rob a tenant though at least not in the places I have leased.

I am so glad I am closing on a house in June, I really hate the idea of a 'stranger' having access to my place.

Å

 

[Bacstar]

Originally posted by: BKLounger
if you really want to mess with the landlord. Get a couple 6 inch wooden dowels paint them red, attach a couple wires to them and put an alarm clock next to them. Might make them think twice about coming in unexpectedly.

Now now... you wouldn't want Homeland Security busting down your door in the middle of the night.... How bout...buying a bunch of sex toys and leaving them out in the open?

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

In CA there are 24 hour notice rules, but iono.

I'm always scared they'll come in and spot my guinea pig and I'll get into trouble. Then again a guinea pig is not usually a big problem compared to having a dog/cat.

 

[jonks]

TENANT'S RIGHTS GUIDE
OFFICE OF THE NEW YORK STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL
February, 1999
RIGHT TO PRIVACY
Tenants have the right to privacy within their apartments. A landlord, however, may enter a tenant's apartment with reasonable prior notice, and at a reasonable time: (a) to provide necessary or agreed upon repairs or services; or (b) in accordance with the lease; or (c) to show the apartment to prospective purchasers or tenants. In emergencies, such as fires, the landlord may enter the apartment without the tenant's consent. A landlord may not abuse this limited right of entry or use it to harass a tenant. A landlord may not interfere with the installation of cable televison facilities. (Public Service Law §228) .
____________________________________

Basically, if the landlord gives you reasonable notice (24 hours would probably suffice) that they are showing your apartment at a reasonable time (not 2 AM), then they can enter, SO LONG AS your lease doesn't say they can't. If the lease is silent on the issue, then the law above governs and you cannot legally bar them from entering.

 

[BooGiMaN]

just out of curiosity were you shown the apartment while someone was still living there when you were checking out places to rent?


are you renting a new place when the lease runs out? will you expect to be shown the place at your convenience or whenever the current tenent feels like it?

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

I changed the deadbolt on my duplex when I moved in (front and back doors).

I got a call from the landlord one day saying she couldn't get in as they were painting the front doors on all the units and couldnt' get in my place to paint around the frame.

I said "huh that's weird..." and she was a little pissy and said she needed a key. That was a couple of months ago and still haven't given her one.

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: 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.

Not in CA, you can't.

If the LL gives proper notice, you have no say as to when it can occur.

 

[crt1530]

You have no right to bar your landlord from entering the premises if they have provided sufficient notice (usually 24 hours) of their intent to enter. You are being unreasonable. If you make a big issue about this, YOU will get in trouble with the cops.

 

[Vic]

The OP has the right to 24 hour notice and the right for reasonable arrangements to be made for him to be there while the landlord is inside the premesis.
A tenant may not change the locks.
A landlord cannot just come and go as they please, even if they give notice. It might be their property, but the tenant has rights.

 

[NikolaeVarius]

Everytime you go out, put on a repeating sound of someone groaning really loudly.

 

[crt1530]

OK. Against my better judgment, I'm going to throw you morons a bone. Yes, you are morons because you are getting indignant about basic crap that is spelled out in plain English in every freaking lease/rental agreement you've ever signed.

That being said (you're morons), my state grants a tenant a free month of rent if the landlord enters the rental unit without prior notice. I am not saying that this applies to J0hnny. I'm not going to go find the housing law for New York state for him. I'd recommend that he stops being a moron and go educate himself on the laws that he is obligated to live by.

Read your lease. Read it again. Read all legal statutes that pertain to housing law. This is your life. Be informed. Morons.