Question about landlord and tenant rights. What do you think? (Decatur: lease, tenants)

[DecaturGuy]

I'm moving at the end of the month to a new place. My landlord is showing the place to people between now and the end of the month.

She came in tonight while I was away to show the place to prospective new tenants and she moved some of my stuff around. Nothing really major. She didn't move anything from one room to another, but shifted a couple of pieces of furniture a little, moved boxes I have out where I'm clearing out and packing stuff from one spot to another. She stacked up CDs I had on my chest in a different way. She even moved my deodorant bar and move it to a different spot on the vanity. She also clearly did some extra mopping of the kitchen floor. I have no reason to think she went into personal drawers and looked at personal documents, but the whole thing was unsettling.

What on Earth? Have you ever heard of anything like that? I know rules vary state to state, but can you imagine anyone doing that and it being OK?

Background: I am a somewhat new landlord myself, as I wasn't able to sell my place in North Carolina in 2008 when I moved here. I'm still shaky on the finer points of landlord/tenant rights and realize they vary state to state. But from my understanding, I'd have no right at all in North Carolina to do what she did.

I've been a model tenant. Always pay the rent early. No worries about taking care of the place. I'm no neat freak, but I don't keep the place nasty and junky. But she's expecting showplace quality during my move.

What should my course of action be? On the one hand, I'm a bit outraged. On the other, she's saving me some cleaning when I move ... What's your assessment? My personality -- for better and worse -- has always been to avoid confrontation and just let things drop -- particularly when you're nearing the end of a relationship anyway. But sometimes I know I'm letting people get away with things they shouldn't when I do that. I'm more bothered by the idea she did it at all vs. any real problems caused by this. I have no concerns at all about her stealing, etc. Just the idea she felt she was free to shift my personal possessions around ... mmm, not right.


Any input -- especially in regards to what Georgia law would say about this -- would be appreciated.

[K'ledgeBldr]

This should shed some light on your question(s)-
http://www.dca.state.ga.us/housing/h...t_Handbook.pdf

[residinghere2007]

I work in housing and usually notice is given, usually 24 hours before entering the premesis for this situation. If they did not give notice or it is not in the lease then it can be considered a violation. I would look over your lease if I were you.

[noah]

Yes, read the landlord tenant laws. Also, what does your lease say about the landlord's right to show the place while you still live there, hopefully it isn't silent on this. Generally its done but with a 24 hr notice unless the tenant is ok with shorter notice but I would never do it without notifying the tenant first.

[DecaturGuy]

Originally Posted by K'ledgeBldr

This should shed some light on your question(s)-
http://www.dca.state.ga.us/housing/h...t_Handbook.pdf

Thank you for the link. Unfortunately, this situation is so odd it was not address anywhere in the document I could find.


Anyone else have any insight?

[AnsleyPark]

Sounds pretty non-intrusive to me - just trying to be practical here. I wouldn't get upset and confrontational about it. Just simply note to her that you noticed she'd shown the place and that you'd like 12 hours notice before she do so again, so that you can straighten your own things up without her having to do so. Check your lease to see what it says.

[DecaturGuy]

This is what my lease says:

Tenants allow Landlord to show premises by appointment during 30-day notice period, and Tenants will facilitate this process.

That's open to a lot of interpretation. In case I didn't make it clear, I have no problem with her showing the unit. It's in the lease and she told me about the appointment. I have a problem with her moving my things around.

[DecaturGuy]

Originally Posted by AnsleyPark

Sounds pretty non-intrusive to me - just trying to be practical here. I wouldn't get upset and confrontational about it. Just simply note to her that you noticed she'd shown the place and that you'd like 12 hours notice before she do so again, so that you can straighten your own things up without her having to do so. Check your lease to see what it says.

Practically speaking, it wasn't a big deal, although since I last posted I noticed she placed two portable file cases, one of which had things in it, onto glassed-framed artwork. No damage, but there could have been.

I didn't see a single place when I was looking for a new place that was as clean and neat as mine. It's not perfect. But it's not going to be when the tenant is moving himself.

It just makes you wonder what else she went through.

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by DecaturGuy

Practically speaking, it wasn't a big deal, although since I last posted I noticed to placed two portable file cases, one of which had things in it, onto glassed-framed artwork. No damage, but there could have been.

I didn't see a single place when I was looking for a new place that was as clean and neat as mine. It's not perfect. But it's not going to be when the tenant is moving himself.

It just makes you wonder what else she went through.

I'm sure. I'd simply ask her not to move your things. She really has NO right to do so unless they are a danger to her or the folks she's showing your place. Unfortunately, you have little leverage since you're moving out in a few weeks.

[Caleb Longstreet]

You'll spend considerably more time chasing this down than it is worth. You are moving. Focus on that. Be glad that the landlord didn't "borrow" anything and at least left it in pretty much the same state as you did when you left.....

Let it go.....