Can I sue? Invaded privacy

[Teeny23]

I'm in CA and I'm currently renting a studio on a month-to-month lease. One time the refrigerator decided to stop working. I notified the landlord and she brought a repair man in and basically He said the whole refrigerator needed to be replaced. We scheduled a time for the landlord and the delivery of the fridge. I gave permission for the landlord to enter the premises for the installation of the refrigerator. I was there for the beginning part of the installation but I had to head out of town shortly after. I had one of my friends go over to my place just to make sure everything went well and she finds that the landlord is in my bedroom. There was no need for her to be in my bedroom at ALL and I have no idea why she was in there. I'm so bothered and embarrassed because my privacy was invaded. I've been looking up law info regarding landlord invasion of privacy and from what I read they can be sued up to $10k. I want to know can she be sued Even though I gave permission to enter the premises for the kitchen but she entered my bedroom?

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

It seems that most of the laws in California speak to 'entry' of the landlord. You had already granted that permission.

 

[FarmerJ]

Sounds like you should plan on installing a hidden cam , nanny cam and record all entries into your unit from now on and warn your LL that you are aware that they were in your bedroom with out a logical reason to be there such as a repair that was needed in there. Say nothing about having a nanny cam or camera to record entries and if it happens again then to take action.

 

[Teeny23]

It seems that most of the laws in California speak to 'entry' of the landlord. You had already granted that permission.

But when you give permission of entry for a particular part of the home, do they have free range to roam wherever they please? Wouldn't that be abuse of right of entry?

 

[Teeny23]

Sounds like you should plan on installing a hidden cam , nanny cam and record all entries into your unit from now on and warn your LL that you are aware that they were in your bedroom with out a logical reason to be there such as a repair that was needed in there. Say nothing about having a nanny cam or camera to record entries and if it happens again then to take action.

But can a landlord be sued if a tenant chooses to take that route?

 

[reenzz]

An unauthorized entry by the landlord is a trespass; and, depending upon the egregiousness of the abuse, may entitle the tenant to consequential damages for harassment, invasion of privacy, or negligent or
intentional infliction of emotional distress. The particular cause of action and damages recoverable will depend upon the nature of the landlord’s wrongful entry. Such actions are likely to be sustained only in cases of repeated and serious abuse.

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

I can see nothing in California law that limits where the LL can go in the house once they are given entry. There may be some case law on the issue but not in the statutes.

 

[LdiJ]

You said that you were renting a studio. A studio, by definition is a one room apartment. Therefore how is it that you have a separate bedroom?

 

[Gail in Georgia]

Good point LdiJ.