LANDLORD ENTERING PROPERTY AT WILL?? ( let me know if you cant see my post please, as it shows i posted if clicked on)

[Katie Bailey]

What is the name of your state? I live in Virginia. My landlord is ALWAYS here. Every single day. I live in a house that us divided into 4 single , one bedroom apartments. The landlord comes every day and just hangs around the property. There are times he knocks on the door. He will knock 5 or 6 times and if I dont answer he just opens the door and comes on in. How do I know this?? One day I was in the shower so I heard him knocking but I couldn't get there. I shut off the water and grabbed a towel. I still had to dry off. By the time I got almost to the door (while wrapped in a towel !!!!) he had taken out his keys and started to open the door!!! Luckily I had the latch on the top hooked so he could only open it so far. He saw I , in fact , was there and he shut it back. Another time he knocked and I was moving furniture around and couldn't get to the door very quickly and , again,I heard his keys come out and the door knob being messed with but I got there and opened it before he could. That time he said he needed to change a furnace filter, but I had no notice, my apartment was a mess from moving furniture and cleaning. He then proceeded to tell me how messy it was and it was " too much" that I needed to move bc they paid too much fixing the place up for 'this'. He gave no notice or i would have had the place clean and back to normal. My thing is, if he has done this 2 times I was present for. How many times has it been done that I was not there??.. Is there anything I can do legally. I was very upset that day as I have a 6 month lease.

 

[Just Blue]

https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodepopularnames/virginia-residential-landlord-and-tenant-act/

 

[zddoodah]

My landlord is ALWAYS here. Every single day. I live in a house that us divided into 4 single , one bedroom apartments. The landlord comes every day and just hangs around the property.

What does this mean: "that us divided into 4 single, one bedroom apartments"? Are you simply saying that you and three other individuals jointly rent a four-bedroom house? Is there a single lease on which all four of you are tenants? Or does each of you have a separate lease that covers only one bedroom in the house (along with shared common areas, I assume)? I also assume the landlord does not live in the house. Correct?

Please also explain what exactly the landlord does when he "just hangs around the property."

I have a 6 month lease.

When does the lease expire.

Is there anything I can do legally.

Start by googling "landlord right of entry virginia." I assume you'll find that, like in most, if not all, states, the landlord has no general right to enter a leased home but does have a right to enter, with notice, for certain things (and, for emergencies, without notice). Once you understand what the law says, you and your roommates should have a frank discussion with your landlord. If you can't convince your landlord to change his behavior, move when your lease is up (or, you could move immediately, but you'd then probably find yourself in small claims court fighting over your security deposit).

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

WHat just blue posted specifically...

§ 55.1-1210. Landlord and tenant remedies for abuse of access
If the tenant refuses to allow lawful access, the landlord may obtain injunctive relief to compel access, or terminate the rental agreement. In either case, the landlord may recover actual damages and reasonable attorney fees. If the landlord makes an unlawful entry or a lawful entry in an unreasonable manner or makes repeated demands for entry that is otherwise lawful but that have the effect of unreasonably harassing the tenant, the tenant may obtain injunctive relief to prevent the recurrence of the conduct, or terminate the rental agreement. In either case, the tenant may recover actual damages and reasonable attorney fees.

2000, c. 760, § 55-248.10:1; 2019, c. 712.

But I'm concerned it may not fully apply in your case because other than the bedrooms the rest of the dwelling may be considered common areas and not fully subject to the law. You might want to have a conversation with a local real estate attorney.

 

[Katie Bailey]

It is all separate complete apartments. I dont share anything besides an entry way and the basement is the laundryroom that is accessed from the outside with other tenants and we all have separate leases. He comes and I am honestly not sure what he does besides I see him outside in the yard, or downstairs in the laundry room or he is k ocking on the door across the hall from me to yell her name and tell her to pay rent.

 

[Katie Bailey]

you open the front door that has no lock to get inside. There is a landing and stairs going straight up. 2 apartments downstairs and 2 apartments upstairs. I never see my neighbors unless its coming and going.

 

[quincy]

It is all separate complete apartments. I dont share anything besides an entry way and the basement is the laundryroom that is accessed from the outside with other tenants and we all have separate leases. He comes and I am honestly not sure what he does besides I see him outside in the yard, or downstairs in the laundry room or he is k ocking on the door across the hall from me to yell her name and tell her to pay rent.

The next time he tries to enter when you are home, call the police and report it.

 

[Katie Bailey]

All separate doors . Mailboxes are at the bottom if the entryway right as you open the front door.

 

[quincy]

All separate doors . Mailboxes are at the bottom if the entryway right as you open the front door.

The landlord does not have the right to enter your apartment without adequate advance notice absent an emergency situation.

Advise your landlord of this, in writing.

Then call the police to report that your landlord is trying to gain entrance without notice or cause (and you fear for your security/safety, if true).

 

[Katie Bailey]

Lease was in November to end of April. Then its just month to month supposedly.

 

[quincy]

What are you not understanding?

 

[Katie Bailey]

I dont know 2 of my neighbors. We are not roommates. I dont share anything besides a breezeway, hallway, entryway.... ( whatever you want to call it ) and basement/ laundryroom

 

[quincy]

I dont know 2 of my neighbors. We are not roommates. I dont share anything besides a breezeway, hallway, entryway.... ( whatever you want to call it ) and basement/ laundryroom

You were provided the law. You were provided suggestions on what to do. Is there anything else you need?

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

The next time he tries to enter when you are home, call the police and report it.

Or the OP could follow remedies in the law and seek injunctive relief.

 

[quincy]

You were provided the law. You were provided suggestions on what to do. Is there anything else you need?

Or the OP could follow remedies in the law and seek injunctive relief.

See above.