LandLord Entering Rental Without Notice. (agreements, evicted, house, legal)

[chielgirl]

That goes both ways, I've had my house destroyed by renters.

I'm owed in excess of $6k from jerks who rented from me.

[catbys]

I own my own home in NYS. I just got a job with a new company in Conn. I need an apartment in Conn, I am not selling my home. The company owns property and I just signed a lease this week. I was reading the lease before I signed it and I was interruped and told it is a basic lease, "so if you would just sign it we will give you a copy after so and so signs". Now this is a new employer and I am not interested in causing waves before I start my job. I acquiesced and I was given keys. I did gleen some information from the lease before I was interruped. I am not to put holes in the walls? HUH? How do you hang curtains and pictures? Really? I don't get that. The part that states they will pay for heat and water and electric was welcome but no holes in the walls? That seems unreasonable. I have not rented in over twenty years. Would someone bring me up to date on what is reasonable?

[mkfarnam]

I don't know about Conn, but I've read in different state laws that holes for curtains and pictures (regular decor) is in the catagory of "normal wear and tear".
Did you ask them for specifics on "holes in the walls"?

[Radek]

Yeah, and if its really an issue... buy some spackle and spackle it. If they notice it on final inspection, remind them that after X years of living there, they need to repaint anyway.

Edit: or repaint yourself, and they won't even know.

[Baltic_Celt]

Cat, read your lease, seriously. Laws do change & my standard RHA in MA changed several times since I've been renting. It is a common stiuplation of RHA leases in all states to not put holes into walls, trim.

As a landlord, I provide my own already installed drapery/curtain rods on each window for my tenants. I also have placed my own wall shelves, brass fixtures, brass wall hooks, multiple decorative towel bars/paper towel holders in kitchen/bath, etc. for tenants' convenience & for my own peace of mind, so they don't drill & destroy my property. My units are rented move-in ready. Geesh, I even install a new curtain liner & shower hooks on the shower, leave a roll of paper towels/bathroom paper in the unit, as I know when someone moves, they often can't find necessary things. I never remember to leave out these things ahead of time when I move, so I feel folks will appreciate it. Perhaps they do, but I've never received any acknowledgement, even when I've allowed most tenants to move in 1-2 wks early at no charge. I don't recall a landlord ever giving me 1-2 free wks rent, but I'd be most grateful & say so, had they. In any event, I feel going out of my way benefits both of us. My standard hardcoded RHA states the same, no holes in walls. It's common in any lease I've ever read. I let tenants know that should they want an extra hook or shelf, ask me & I'll do it.

I realize I'm unusual & most units are "empty", at least the 8 apts I've rented for myself were in various states. If someone stated to me, "It's just a standard lease/sales contract for a car/etc, you can just sign it" I would state, "I haven't read this one, so I'm not familiar. I'd like to take a few minutes to read it first." If a Rental Office/landlord were gruff about it (never happened, they've been happy to know I'm aware of what I'm signing), I'd state the same again. Why would I ever sign something I didn't read first? I wouldn't & I'm a bit at a loss in understanding how others feel pressured to do so?

Please assert yourselves with the same force you do here in Re: to your dissatisfaction with your situations. If many did so, the answers would be received from the source, which is always better than individual opinions on a message board. You want facts, not opinions.

Help me understand, why are folks not asking the landlord/RO/Rental Housing Authority for a copy of the state's lease prior to moving to the state? I don't understand why many are placing all this responsibility on another & then being upset or feeling lost that you "didn't know". It's $2 if you must purchase a blank yourself, as I stated before. Probably can find some online for free... perhaps libraries can provide free copies. I've listed links before for all states' info in my previous posts, so you can get any state info you care to take the time to search for. Why are people not doing so?

I rented my own apts in Atlanta, NC & Seattle without having seen them. I asked to receive a faxed copy of the lease & any addendums/notices beforehand. They were willing & happy to oblige. Some of my leases were 8-pages long, others 15+, as some communities/buildings had rules - no laundry/rugs left over railings, only white backings on curtains. This is very common in rental communities & I'm glad I knew ahead of time. I never had any heel dragging. When prospective tenants view the apts that I rent, if they want a copy of an unsigned lease, I'm happy to give it to them & commonly do so along with an application & releases for checking references/credit report. It saves them a trip back to me for forms should they decide they're interested in renting. It costs me to provide copies, but I see it as something that will benefit them, whether they rent my unit or another. Everyone can request this beforehand when they view apts. "May I take a look at your lease?" If the answer is "It's standard" say, "I'm not familiar with the standard lease. May I view/have a copy?" Why do people not ask? I don't understand a good reason for not asking.

When I rent for myself, I've pre-signed my leases, because I wanted to see what I was getting myself into. Sure, if you rent from a small landlord, you may not have this option as you secure your apt upon arrival after perusing the local newspapers... but... if you know you'll rent in this way, you can get the state's lease yourself ahead of time, months before moving to the state. Sorry. Why don't people do this? State laws are free online. Why aren't people reading them beforehand?

How do you hang a picture? Ask your Rental Office if in a complex or landlord if in a multi-level/stand alone dwelling. There are kits you can purchase that don't "disturb" the wall. I've never had to use them, but my L.A. RO told me about them when I asked. I also asked what I could put down a garbage disposal, before using it, as I never had one before & my lease stipulated I had to pay for repairs to it should it break due to negligence. Glad I asked. Didn't know I couldn't put vegetable peels or coffee grounds in it. Never used it because the only answer they could give me was "peas". Fair enough, but then it's not really helpful to me to have a disposal. Don't want to incur costs should it break & don't discard many peas. In NC, my RO told me I could hang a pic if I made sure to spackle it prior to leaving & there was no evidence the pic was there. I then spoke with the maintenance man & asked which color they used on the walls, so I could hang a pic & patch up prior to leaving. He very kindly told me to let him know if/when I'd be leaving & he'd supply the paint. He did. It's amazing what one can find out by just asking. Why is everyone so afraid to speak in person but will ask mere opinions rather than secure fact or rant & rave on a public board because you're afraid to speak up for youselves to the people who can most help - your landlord? Most of these questions will gladly be answered by your RO/landlords & they'll be happy you've asked... first... before doing anything that you were unsure about.

I'm also unsure why folks are sitting around waiting for landlords to supply a copy of their signed leases, too. Ask for a copy. Each case is individual & perhaps some of the landlords people are coming across wrongly assume most folks are familiar with the hardcoded lease and/or don't want a copy. If they promise & don't deliver, request it in person, VM & writing, saying you'll pick it up at their convenience or they can mail it, etc. Or, go to the landlord, ask for a copy & say you'll wait for it. I've never had this problem, but I always make my request well known. If I were promised a least today & didn't receive it, I'd call tomorrow morning, tomorrow afternoon & on & on... being kind but firm that I need a copy. In fact, when I moved to Atlanta, I needed a copy of my lease to register my car to prove residency. At that time, it took 45-days (1990) to receive your driver's license in the mail... so no newcomers had this to prove residency... we needed our leases.

Refer questions to your landlord directly. Misunderstandings are just that... not understanding what is stipulated, not knowing what's expected on either side, assuming... Communication needs to be open on both sides. Bad experiences can happen, yes. Some people, no matter which "side" are bad people. Dont be one of them & know your laws so you can identify one ahead of time should you encounter one. Many of these posts are filled with inaccuricies, even from at least one landlord that I've seen. So many are unaware of housing law, yet put no effort into remedying it. As someone who often rents my own apts but also knows state laws... if I knew more about the laws than my prospective landlord, it would be a sign for me to be most careful ensuring we're both on the same page. If s/he seemed resistant/stubborn, no matter how nice the apt, I'd move on before renting.

I & several other landlords here are happy to answer questions & speak about that which we are knowledgeable. Hard, however, to speak to those with closed ears & closed minds. When folks resist looking up info on provided links or persist with "all landlords are awful"... well, you've already made up your minds, so you're not here looking for help, but to pass the blame for your own ineptitude.

I'm done with trying to provide info on this forum, as I see most ignore it, don't want it and/or argue from an unknowledgeable stance. Fair enough. I wish you all well with your rentals, either as landlords or tenants & hope you arm youselves with updated, current info, rather than what we hope, think or assume the laws are.

Best of luck...

[donsabi]

I am the OP and my intention was to alert tentative renters to make sure they obtain, read , and understand their lease prior to signing it. Never trust a landlord or his agent telling you it is just a standard lease.
I have since learned that landlords do not have the right of entry without notice unless it is an emergency. I have purchased a motion detector camera and when I leave my rental I turn it on. If I find my landlord or his representative entering illegally I will prosecute.
Landlords, here's something to think about if you snoop and peek. If your tenant is a subject of identity theft, and that tenant is aware you entered his rental, you are at risk of being investigated for that identity theft.
I am sure there are good landlords and if they act in accordance with the law and good sense I am sure they won't be offended by my statements.

[sundance67]

I've suspected my landlord & his wife of sneaking in here many times. It's a disgusting feeling knowing how much money I'm paying them & having to worry every time I go anywhere if they're in here.

[mkfarnam]

Originally Posted by KittensPurr

Cat, read your lease, seriously. Laws do change & my standard RHA in MA changed several times since I've been renting. It is a common stiuplation of RHA leases in all states to not put holes into walls, trim.

As a landlord, I provide my own already installed drapery/curtain rods on each window for my tenants. I also have placed my own wall shelves, brass fixtures, brass wall hooks, multiple decorative towel bars/paper towel holders in kitchen/bath, etc. for tenants' convenience & for my own peace of mind, so they don't drill & destroy my property. My units are rented move-in ready. Geesh, I even install a new curtain liner & shower hooks on the shower, leave a roll of paper towels/bathroom paper in the unit, as I know when someone moves, they often can't find necessary things. I never remember to leave out these things ahead of time when I move, so I feel folks will appreciate it. Perhaps they do, but I've never received any acknowledgement, even when I've allowed most tenants to move in 1-2 wks early at no charge. I don't recall a landlord ever giving me 1-2 free wks rent, but I'd be most grateful & say so, had they. In any event, I feel going out of my way benefits both of us. My standard hardcoded RHA states the same, no holes in walls. It's common in any lease I've ever read. I let tenants know that should they want an extra hook or shelf, ask me & I'll do it.

I realize I'm unusual & most units are "empty", at least the 8 apts I've rented for myself were in various states. If someone stated to me, "It's just a standard lease/sales contract for a car/etc, you can just sign it" I would state, "I haven't read this one, so I'm not familiar. I'd like to take a few minutes to read it first." If a Rental Office/landlord were gruff about it (never happened, they've been happy to know I'm aware of what I'm signing), I'd state the same again. Why would I ever sign something I didn't read first? I wouldn't & I'm a bit at a loss in understanding how others feel pressured to do so?

Please assert yourselves with the same force you do here in Re: to your dissatisfaction with your situations. If many did so, the answers would be received from the source, which is always better than individual opinions on a message board. You want facts, not opinions.

Help me understand, why are folks not asking the landlord/RO/Rental Housing Authority for a copy of the state's lease prior to moving to the state? I don't understand why many are placing all this responsibility on another & then being upset or feeling lost that you "didn't know". It's $2 if you must purchase a blank yourself, as I stated before. Probably can find some online for free... perhaps libraries can provide free copies. I've listed links before for all states' info in my previous posts, so you can get any state info you care to take the time to search for. Why are people not doing so?

I rented my own apts in Atlanta, NC & Seattle without having seen them. I asked to receive a faxed copy of the lease & any addendums/notices beforehand. They were willing & happy to oblige. Some of my leases were 8-pages long, others 15+, as some communities/buildings had rules - no laundry/rugs left over railings, only white backings on curtains. This is very common in rental communities & I'm glad I knew ahead of time. I never had any heel dragging. When prospective tenants view the apts that I rent, if they want a copy of an unsigned lease, I'm happy to give it to them & commonly do so along with an application & releases for checking references/credit report. It saves them a trip back to me for forms should they decide they're interested in renting. It costs me to provide copies, but I see it as something that will benefit them, whether they rent my unit or another. Everyone can request this beforehand when they view apts. "May I take a look at your lease?" If the answer is "It's standard" say, "I'm not familiar with the standard lease. May I view/have a copy?" Why do people not ask? I don't understand a good reason for not asking.

When I rent for myself, I've pre-signed my leases, because I wanted to see what I was getting myself into. Sure, if you rent from a small landlord, you may not have this option as you secure your apt upon arrival after perusing the local newspapers... but... if you know you'll rent in this way, you can get the state's lease yourself ahead of time, months before moving to the state. Sorry. Why don't people do this? State laws are free online. Why aren't people reading them beforehand?

How do you hang a picture? Ask your Rental Office if in a complex or landlord if in a multi-level/stand alone dwelling. There are kits you can purchase that don't "disturb" the wall. I've never had to use them, but my L.A. RO told me about them when I asked. I also asked what I could put down a garbage disposal, before using it, as I never had one before & my lease stipulated I had to pay for repairs to it should it break due to negligence. Glad I asked. Didn't know I couldn't put vegetable peels or coffee grounds in it. Never used it because the only answer they could give me was "peas". Fair enough, but then it's not really helpful to me to have a disposal. Don't want to incur costs should it break & don't discard many peas. In NC, my RO told me I could hang a pic if I made sure to spackle it prior to leaving & there was no evidence the pic was there. I then spoke with the maintenance man & asked which color they used on the walls, so I could hang a pic & patch up prior to leaving. He very kindly told me to let him know if/when I'd be leaving & he'd supply the paint. He did. It's amazing what one can find out by just asking. Why is everyone so afraid to speak in person but will ask mere opinions rather than secure fact or rant & rave on a public board because you're afraid to speak up for youselves to the people who can most help - your landlord? Most of these questions will gladly be answered by your RO/landlords & they'll be happy you've asked... first... before doing anything that you were unsure about.

I'm also unsure why folks are sitting around waiting for landlords to supply a copy of their signed leases, too. Ask for a copy. Each case is individual & perhaps some of the landlords people are coming across wrongly assume most folks are familiar with the hardcoded lease and/or don't want a copy. If they promise & don't deliver, request it in person, VM & writing, saying you'll pick it up at their convenience or they can mail it, etc. Or, go to the landlord, ask for a copy & say you'll wait for it. I've never had this problem, but I always make my request well known. If I were promised a least today & didn't receive it, I'd call tomorrow morning, tomorrow afternoon & on & on... being kind but firm that I need a copy. In fact, when I moved to Atlanta, I needed a copy of my lease to register my car to prove residency. At that time, it took 45-days (1990) to receive your driver's license in the mail... so no newcomers had this to prove residency... we needed our leases.

Refer questions to your landlord directly. Misunderstandings are just that... not understanding what is stipulated, not knowing what's expected on either side, assuming... Communication needs to be open on both sides. Bad experiences can happen, yes. Some people, no matter which "side" are bad people. Dont be one of them & know your laws so you can identify one ahead of time should you encounter one. Many of these posts are filled with inaccuricies, even from at least one landlord that I've seen. So many are unaware of housing law, yet put no effort into remedying it. As someone who often rents my own apts but also knows state laws... if I knew more about the laws than my prospective landlord, it would be a sign for me to be most careful ensuring we're both on the same page. If s/he seemed resistant/stubborn, no matter how nice the apt, I'd move on before renting.

I & several other landlords here are happy to answer questions & speak about that which we are knowledgeable. Hard, however, to speak to those with closed ears & closed minds. When folks resist looking up info on provided links or persist with "all landlords are awful"... well, you've already made up your minds, so you're not here looking for help, but to pass the blame for your own ineptitude.

I'm done with trying to provide info on this forum, as I see most ignore it, don't want it and/or argue from an unknowledgeable stance. Fair enough. I wish you all well with your rentals, either as landlords or tenants & hope you arm youselves with updated, current info, rather than what we hope, think or assume the laws are.

Best of luck...

From your post, your talking about renting from one curtain type of landlord as yourself which you noted as "unique". That's good, I wish there were more like you, but unfortunatly there's not.
A good landlord that's concered about his unit would be more than happy to give a "soon to be" tenant time to read the agreement. but that's not always the case.
Example:
When I moved to OK. last year and was seaching for a rental, I found 2 houses for rent, I called the numbers and they set up appointments for a showing.
When I got there, there were 5-6 other people waiting to see the place at the same time.
He handed out an agreement and an application charging everyone 25.00 appl, fee.
Then he said that the showing was over in 30 min's and that he was only show one applicant at a time and probably wouldn't have time to show everyone, so if you wanted to see the inside you need to hurry up and read the agreement and fill out the application.
I was the first to see the place and I was picked, but this guy was really a jurk so I handed him the unsigned agreement and said why don't you rent it to someone with a bigger family because it's too big for me, beside's. I don't think I want to rent from a person with your type of attidude.

This happened twice.

BTW, I studied Oklahoma and the Laws for 6 months befor I moved, so it would be appreciate if you didn't make it sound like every tenant fits the same profile.

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by Radek

Exactly as ESFP said, just because its in a lease doesn't mean its legal.

If it's a State promulgated lease, such as we use in Texas, it will in fact have no illegal provisions in the boilerplate. Now, landlords often write in illegal stuff in special provisions.

What I tell my tenants is that I won't normally come over unannounced unless I suspect a lease violation.

Example: tenant requests a repair. My maintenance man reports back to me that he didn't see a dog, but that there was a dog bowl on the back porch along with a bag of dog food and turds in the grass.

In that example, I drive to the property unannounced and determine if a dog has been snuck onto the property in violation of the lease. It would do me no good to provide advance warning.

There are other examples of why it's important for a landlord to have this right. Someday when you own rental property you'll see things from a completely different perspective.

Steve

[mkfarnam]

Originally Posted by austin-steve

If it's a State promulgated lease, such as we use in Texas, it will in fact have no illegal provisions in the boilerplate. Now, landlords often write in illegal stuff in special provisions.

What I tell my tenants is that I won't normally come over unannounced unless I suspect a lease violation.

Example: tenant requests a repair. My maintenance man reports back to me that he didn't see a dog, but that there was a dog bowl on the back porch along with a bag of dog food and turds in the grass.

In that example, I drive to the property unannounced and determine if a dog has been snuck onto the property in violation of the lease. It would do me no good to provide advance warning.

There are other examples of why it's important for a landlord to have this right. Someday when you own rental property you'll see things from a completely different perspective.

Steve

That's understandable,I don't see why a landlord wouldn't have that right. As long as that landlord uses that right as required and without misusing it.