unreasonable landlord

[BL]

I think that device would go against his rule of having "unobstructed doorways". Someone else tried to block their apartment when they're in, and he got wild with anger, completely ignoring the fact that they were in the shower when he was trying to break into their home.

Please . Unobstructed doorways mean you don't have a bunch of whatever blocking the doorway ( as in fire hazard - code violation ) .

So what the LL gets angry , if someone uses personal safety features while they're home . Maybe he'll blow his top and end up in the funny farm .

It is a tenant's right to use the devises .

 

[Alaska landlord]

You have for the most part been given good information. What you do with it is up to you. You can argue if you like, but it will do nothing for your case. It's not against the law to be an ass. If it were it would not be a “free country” Take the information you were given and verify it if you like, or just ignore it.

Next time be careful about the lease you sign and be aware of your rights. Have your next LL write into the lease an amount of time regarding notice. When I was living in PA. I wrote into my lease tenant will be given a reasonable amount of notice. I made sure I called and notified the tenant when I would be entering the apartment and why.. I never had a problem with a tenant regarding entry. A few times one would ask if I could delay entry and I either honored their request or explained why it was necessary that I entered at that time. Usually the time frame was not mine to decide since a contractor basically made the appointment with me regarding the repairs and They also have schedules to keep.

 

[wplck]

You have for the most part been given good information. What you do with it is up to you. You can argue if you like, but it will do nothing for your case. It's not against the law to be an ass. If it were it would not be a “free country” Take the information you were given and verify it if you like, or just ignore it.

Next time be careful about the lease you sign and be aware of your rights. Have your next LL write into the lease an amount of time regarding notice. When I was living in PA. I wrote into my lease tenant will be given a reasonable amount of notice. I made sure I called and notified the tenant when I would be entering the apartment and why.. I never had a problem with a tenant regarding entry. A few times one would ask if I could delay entry and I either honored their request or explained why it was necessary that I entered at that time. Usually the time frame was not mine to decide since a contractor basically made the appointment with me regarding the repairs and They also have schedules to keep.

I don't know why you think I'm being argumentative.

And I find it ungenerous of you to innuendo that I brought this on myself. I did NOT CHOOSE this landlord. He purchased the building I lived in for a few years, with a great landlord, who, unfortunately, got a serious illness and had to sell.

This landlord ALSO has in this lease that "tenant will be given notice" - but he ignores that, and enters anyway, on the sneak. He doesn't inform before NOR afterwards.

And when he has been caught at it - his stated reason is, "To inspect the property". And by that he means to make sure your kitchen counter doesn't have a spoon left out on it, and that the towels on the rack in the bathroom are lined up properly, and that you don't have a day old newspaper on your coffee table.

For example, one time he entered my neighbor's apartment, and actually invited another tenant in, to show her it! And then remarked about how there were some utensils in the sink and an empty jug on the counter. The tenant tenant told me about this, because she was flabberghasted that he practically dragged her into her neighbor's apartment to complain about her "mess". She said she only went in, because she was bullied. She's disabled, and is understandably frightened by this man. She also told me that he sends her daily e-mails harrassing her about the other tenants' and what he thinks of them.

Believe me, I'm not just some disgruntled tenant. My landlord's behaviour is grossly inappropriate by any sane developed world's decent citizen's standards.

I'm just trying to learn what I can do to exercize my rights while I try to find someplace else to move.

 

[Alaska landlord]

Removed by author.

see my next post as to why.

 

[wplck]

Please . Unobstructed doorways mean you don't have a bunch of whatever blocking the doorway ( as in fire hazard - code violation ) .

So what the LL gets angry , if someone uses personal safety features while they're home . Maybe he'll blow his top and end up in the funny farm .

It is a tenant's right to use the devises .

That's what my brother-in-law said. (He's an attorney in another area of law, and also a landlord.)

Thing is, it's really hard to want to do anything to push this guy over the edge, because I honestly couldn't say what he's capable of. I guess it's one of those things where you'd have to be there with him elbowing his way into your home and screaming at you for something that's either not your fault, not a big deal, or has nothing to do with you but another tenant - and it's not even your business.

I did stand up for myself what little I could the last time he did that. I calmly told him I didn't think it was appropriate for me to be told the business of the other tenants, and that if he didn't back off & lower his voice, I would call the authorities. But then he just made excuses that he was in the military and this is his normal way of speaking with people! It's bizarre.

 

[ecmst12]

If his rule isn't in your lease, ignore it. You have a right to protect yourself when in your own home and he should be calling you ahead of time before trying to enter. Even if it's an emergency, if you're HOME, he can call and get you to let him in.

 

[wplck]

Sec. 47a-16. When landlord may enter rented unit. (a) A tenant shall not unreasonably withhold consent to the landlord to enter into the dwelling unit in order to inspect the premises, make necessary or agreed to repairs, alterations or improvements, supply necessary or agreed to services or exhibit the dwelling unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workmen or contractors.

(b) A landlord may enter the dwelling unit without consent of the tenant in case of emergency.

(c) A landlord shall not abuse the right of entry or use such right of entry to harass the tenant. The landlord shall give the tenant reasonable written or oral notice of his intent to enter and may enter only at reasonable times, except in case of emergency.

(d) A landlord may not enter the dwelling unit without the consent of the tenant except (1) in case of emergency, (2) as permitted by section 47a-16a, (3) pursuant to a court order, or (4) if the tenant has abandoned or surrendered the premises.

(P.A. 76-95, S. 11, 27; 76-435, S. 75, 82; P.A. 79-571, S. 22; P.A. 89-254, S. 6.)

Thank you.

Where is this information available?

What constitutes "harrassment"? What do I have to have proof of him doing in order to make an accusation of it stick?

Who enforces these regulations? Who do I go to in order to file a complaint or whatever?

 

[BL]

That's what my brother-in-law said. (He's an attorney in another area of law, and also a landlord.)

Thing is, it's really hard to want to do anything to push this guy over the edge, because I honestly couldn't say what he's capable of. I guess it's one of those things where you'd have to be there with him elbowing his way into your home and screaming at you for something that's either not your fault, not a big deal, or has nothing to do with you but another tenant - and it's not even your business.

I did stand up for myself what little I could the last time he did that. I calmly told him I didn't think it was appropriate for me to be told the business of the other tenants, and that if he didn't back off & lower his voice, I would call the authorities. But then he just made excuses that he was in the military and this is his normal way of speaking with people! It's bizarre.

Guess what ?

Grow some backbone against him , look him dead in the eyes and tell him to back off , and act and look like you mean it .

Next time he tries to bully his way in , tell him to leave , or you'll call the cops .

I had a boss that treated employees that way , including me , and his excuse was his Dad was in the military and that's the way he was raised .

I told him to take his job and shove it , because I was not going to be treated that way .

Nough said . Grow some back bone , tell him where you draw the line , don't argue with him , go into your Apt. and enjoy it .

If you can't do that , then move .

 

[BL]

Thank you.

Where is this information available?

What constitutes "harrassment"? What do I have to have proof of him doing in order to make an accusation of it stick?

Who enforces these regulations? Who do I go to in order to file a complaint or whatever?

As you were told , you call the law and file a formal complaint if he abuses his rights .

I have been where the police were called for on illegal entry . The police showed up , the LL was gone . The PO got on his cell and called him and warned him if he done it again , he'd personally put the cuffs on him .

 

[applecruncher]

Wplck, call:

Housing Authority of Scranton
100 Adams Ave
Scranton, PA 18503
(570) 348-4415

They probably take walk-ins, there is no charge, and they will intercede. Meanwhile if LL enters without notice or permission, call the police.

Also, call code compliance about the hole that LL refuses to repair and/or tell Housing authority about it and they will report to code enforcement.

I have been where the police were called for on illegal entry . The police showed up , the LL was gone . The PO got on his cell and called him and warned him if he done it again , he'd personally put the cuffs on him .

HA! I love it, BL.

LL is breaking the law. Has nothing to do with "common courtesy".

 

[Alaska landlord]

I have to apologize to everyone. The statutes I posted regarding entry apply to Connecticut not PA.
After spending an hour or so trying to find supporting websites I came across the initial page I used for my post. I was fooled by all the P.A. Ref.

I did find some cities that have the exact requirements as my post, but that does not make it statewide.

So, my error will try to do better next time.

Since there are no statutes in PA regarding entry I think we can conclude that it is handled on a local level and OP has to contact her city or county to determine what the laws are regarding landlord entry.
Again, sorry that I mislead everyone.

The only reference to landlord entry in Pennsylvania is that there are no statewide statutes regarding entry.

 

[wplck]

Guess what ?

Grow some backbone against him , look him dead in the eyes and tell him to back off , and act and look like you mean it .

Next time he tries to bully his way in , tell him to leave , or you'll call the cops .

I had a boss that treated employees that way , including me , and his excuse was his Dad was in the military and that's the way he was raised .

I told him to take his job and shove it , because I was not going to be treated that way .

Nough said . Grow some back bone , tell him where you draw the line , don't argue with him , go into your Apt. and enjoy it .

If you can't do that , then move .

Believe me I feel the same as you do. And I have quite the backbone, believe me. Anyone who knows me would say I maybe stand up a little too much usually!

But not with people who have access to my apartment 24/7. I have a healthy sense of concern for my safety.
I'm a single woman living alone. And so are the other tenants he harrasses - a disabled woman, and an elder woman.

In his homeland, I know for a fact, that it many areas of his country, it's considered completely acceptable for a man to assault, physically sexually etc, a single woman without the protection of a husband or father, and little or nothing would ever be done about it. U.S. laws or not, I don't think moral concerns would stop him. Only legal concerns. So yeah, I have, on several occasions, threatened to call the authorities, or bring legal action. But it just makes him get sneakier.

 

[wplck]

I have to apologize to everyone. The statutes I posted regarding entry apply to Connecticut not PA.
After spending an hour or so trying to find supporting websites I came across the initial page I used for my post. I was fooled by all the P.A. Ref.

I did find some cities that have the exact requirements as my post, but that does not make it statewide.

So, my error will try to do better next time.

Since there are no statutes in PA regarding entry I think we can conclude that it is handled on a local level and OP has to contact her city or county to determine what the laws are regarding landlord entry.
Again, sorry that I mislead everyone.

The only reference to landlord entry in Pennsylvania is that there are no statewide statutes regarding entry.

Thank you, I will call the Housing Authority tomorrow and ask them. Thanks for the information.

I'm also going to talk to my one neighbor tomorrow - she already filed a complaint with someone about him entering, but I don't know who. And she was away this weekend. HOpefully she'll have more info.

 

[wplck]

Tried to call the Housing Authority today. The phone rang right off the hook forever & ever. Several times trying throughout the day. They don't even have voicemail picking up!