LandLord Entering Rental Without Notice. (leases, renter, deposit, renew)

[Ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by sskkc

In my 18 years of renting, I've never had to pay to have a door replaced because a fireman kicked it in. I'd like to know what fire departments would wait for a landlord and key before rushing in to save a suspected dying person or put out a fire.

I've only had one in my 25 years managing residential rental property and it was the police department.

I rented a very nice unit to a single diabetic woman. She kept very much to herself and really was an ideal resident.

Two years into the lease, my tenant's sister called me one evening from the property because she hadn't been able to reach her sister or open the door. She was listed on the lease as the emergency contact and she also had a key... she also called the Police.

I arrived before the police and found my key also didn't work.

The police decided they had sufficient cause to force the door open when I suggested breaking-out a window. The Police told me I could break the window, but, it was against department policy for an Officer to do it because of the danger from broken glass.

I broke the window, got inside and found my tenant in a diabetic coma.

Later, I learned she had lost her keys the week before and had a locksmith re-key the locks.

I was just happy that she fully recovered. She thanked my and wanted to pay for the window and I told her not to worry about it.

Doing the work myself, it cost me $22 for a new peice of glass vs. about $600 to replace the door.

[mkfarnam]

Originally Posted by donsabi

I have learned that here in PA landlords can include an entry clause in a lease granting them the right to enter a rental at any time. So be aware if a landlord tell you it is a "standard lease" it probably is not standard. Landlords like to put a person in a situation where they really don't have time to read a lease. I suggest you sign nothing until you read the lease carefully. If a landlord won't provide a copy of the lease in advance look elsewhere.
I term this entry clause the right of the landlord to "snoop and peek." While a tenant is at work or out the landlord can come into the residence and snoop through the tenants papers viewing credit card numbers, etc. It also gives them the right to peek. An attractive single woman, wife, or maybe a teen daughter. Imagine getting intimate with your spouse and, knock knock, the maintenance man pops his head in the door. Remember, it is in the lease.
I am not saying that all landlords have these motives in mind but if they defend their right to enter without notice they support those who do.
Be very careful about your lease, don't trust the landlord, because the landlord is doesn't trust you and certainly is not your friend.
Don

In California that would be Civil code 1954, sec,8.
And as far as the laws go,and in any state, no landlord has the legal right to amend any lease to his/her satisfaction. Anything on any lease contradicting what the law says is "VOID".

[willdufauve]

I knew of a case in Boston where the son of the family that owned the building was caught robbing the tenants.

He worked out of a garage space behind the building. He would rent the apartments to young female students. When the tenants went out, he climbed up the fire escape, in a window, took their valuables, climbed back down to his garage. Got away with it for several years until too many people saw the pattern. Spy cams are a nice concept.

[ESFP]

I'd mentioned this in another post, but all of my tenants gave a grateful "Whew!" when they read the guarantee that they had the only key and I would never enter for any reason uninvited. Not only did that avoid them calling me at 2:am because of a lost key, they felt secure. I change the locks between tenants, they could change it again if they liked, and if the place burned, chances are that my having a key wouldn't have made any difference. If I had a justifiable reason to enter unanounced, I'd take a policeman with me. If I were a renter, I'd ask if I could change the lock before I signed a lease, and offer to change it back when I left. If the landlord said no, that would be a huge red flag!

[donsabi]

I am the OP and let me restate that I am not opposed to a landlord sentry but doing so without notice. Apparently in PA this is permissible. The lease also states that that the tenant shall not change the lock. The town home has a steel door which the landlord cautions that any modification will be charged back to the tenant. I repeat, this complex promised me a copy of the lease well in advance and did not deliver. At my last request they told me not to worry it was only a standard lease. When I finally arrived here from out of state with my belongings on a moving van I had little choice. This was a deliberate ploy by this firm to ensure I would have little choice but to sign the lease.
This is not a complaint. It is my goal here to warn others before they end up in the same trap. If the landlord will not provide a copy of the lease well before you must sign it look elsewhere!
I also repeat, do not trust a landlord. They are in business to make money and most don't care who they hurt. Landlords are not your friend and never will be. They don't trust you and you shouldn't trust them.
Don

[Radek]

Originally Posted by donsabi

I am the OP and let me restate that I am not opposed to a landlord sentry but doing so without notice. Apparently in PA this is permissible. The lease also states that that the tenant shall not change the lock. The town home has a steel door which the landlord cautions that any modification will be charged back to the tenant. I repeat, this complex promised me a copy of the lease well in advance and did not deliver. At my last request they told me not to worry it was only a standard lease. When I finally arrived here from out of state with my belongings on a moving van I had little choice. This was a deliberate ploy by this firm to ensure I would have little choice but to sign the lease.
This is not a complaint. It is my goal here to warn others before they end up in the same trap. If the landlord will not provide a copy of the lease well before you must sign it look elsewhere!
I also repeat, do not trust a landlord. They are in business to make money and most don't care who they hurt. Landlords are not your friend and never will be. They don't trust you and you shouldn't trust them.
Don

A large portion of the people in this thread are landlords.

Please don't include good landlords with bad landlords in one sentence. just like we don't assume that all tenants are bad tenants out to make a quick buck off landlords.

[mkfarnam]

I'd say that there and equal amount of both. I've rented most of my life and I've seen the worst on both sides. The last house I rented in Ca. I was the for 26years. At first it was hard to get the landlord/owner to do anything. So I contacted the Dept, of Consumer Affairs and started learning the "landlord/tenants rights and responsibilities". After contacting the mediation board, he realized that I knew my rights and after that we got along just fine for the next 20+ years.
On the side I did volunteer work for communties and like I said, I have run into worst kind of slumlords and tenants. This kind are the ones that don't give a rat's a** about the tenants and visa versa.
I can understand why some landlords are very distrusing toward tenants and visa vera. But it's not fair to make a judgement or assume that the next will be no different.
Reading these posts I can tell that all of the landlords here have pride in their property and in being a landlord.(or they wouldn't be here) And I know that some tenants can take the pride away.
the point is: It's hard to show respect and trust when it's not given in return.

As a renter, my biggest concern is having a good reference when I leave.

[Baltic_Celt]

1. We all need to familiarize ourselves with state laws - landlords & tenants. (I've previously provided multiple links to PA laws & a link for all states, should anyone choose to peruse them. Knowledge is power for us all...)
2. We all need to take responsibility for our situations by getting the necessary info in advance - landlords & tenants.
3. We need to not blame others for not having necessary information - landlords & tenants.

I've never have tenant problems. When I rent, I don't have landlord problems anymore... after the couple of creepy incident 20+ yrs ago. I was a very young girl who didn't know what to do in those situations, was alone, didn't know my state's laws or which course of action to take. Good learning experiences & I know what to do now, through being informed & not being afraid to assert myself.

I'm an honest person, know my state's laws, abide by them & ensure my tenants are aware of them, as well. Most are not, until we've spoken, no matter their age or length of time they've been renters. When I'm a renter, I keep open communication with my landlord, know my state's laws, abide by them & ensure my landlord does, as well. I look out for my best interests, whether landlord or tenant. Equally important, I look out for my tenant's/landlord's best interests... maintain properties whether I rent/own, keep open communication, am aware of changes to laws, abide by laws, pay my rent/bills.

Tenants don't wish to hear/believe this, but, most small landlords who own 1 bldg/property or just several, don't turn a profit on rents. Multiple building/complex owners turn profits. Small owners can't possibly charge enough rent for a profit - I'd have to triple mine, at least. The rents pay for part of the expenses to run the property. Yes... only a portion. I appreciate that my tenants' rent does pay part of my housing expenses & in return, they have a safe, clean, up-to-date, quiet, well-maintained, secure rental with a respectful, honest landlord. Still, unforseen repairs (new roof, 3-decks, house siding - cost me $150K in recent years) & part of the housing bills (homeowner's insurance, water bill, taxes) must still be paid by the landlord. Most landlords need to work for their livings & are grateful for tenants who cover part of their housing costs. I need my tenants & they are treated as such. I don't know any small landlords who make their livings through their rentals. Rental helps to defray total costs, only. I do, however, know several elderly homeowners, all widowed, with vacant apartments due to fear with past bad tenants. My mother was one of them until I began to handle her rentals. Sad situations, but they'd rather live meagerly as dealing with tenants has proven to be overwhelming to them.

There are good & bad on both sides, for sure. An understanding of laws can abate most of that, if one chooses to be smart & take an active interest in keeping informed/abiding by laws, again, whether landlord/tenant. Stubbornness and/or clinging to misunderstanding or misinformation serves no one... but lack of knowledge it is a definite choice, when information is so readily available for free.

Good luck to everyone & have a great week!
Stay informed... for your own best interest.

[mkfarnam]

Here's a suggestion for Landlords to see just how concerned a tenant is with the responsibilties they have as a tenant and for the unit they are occupying.



After signing the agreement, hand them a copy of the agreement along with a list of specific thing that they are responsible for as a tenant in that unit, along with a check box beside each one. Have it say:
"If you understand the agreement and your responsibilities as a tenant, please check the box. I will be happy to explain any questions that may arise." PH#--contact info,
And without a set date, have them sign and return as soon as possible.
Most likely, the ones most concerned will read it and have it returned first.
The ones that take the longest are the ones you may want to keep an eye out for.



After it's returned make a copy for their own records.

This is just a suggestion.
But with my experience as a tenant, I would feel that the Landlord has concerns about the rental and I need to keep the place up to the best of my ability.

Also, alot of tenants have a " this isn't my place, why should I give a damn about it." attitude.

A friendly and helpful landlord can reverse that attitude just by being helpful and friendly.
An absentee landlord and a slumlord and most likely to turn out with tenants with "revengeful" attitudes.

[pitt_transplant]

This little trick has always gotten my landlord to knock VERY loudly:
I tell them they have to knock and state who they loudly are because I wouldnt want to hurt them by accident thinking they are an intruder.

Oh god I HATE renting...I cant wait to get a house. I agree...Never trust a landlord. I dont know about the money factor. But I have yet to have a pleasant experience in a rental. 12 years and counting/crying...