Entering without Permission. Skeptical of lease agreement.

[CarlJay89]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Iowa

I have a few concerns about the apartment I moved into a few months ago.

1. First of all I have not signed any lease. I have only signed a change of roommate agreement that does not mention a lease whatsoever, and I notice that the former occupant is still listed as living here according to the Rental Company. The paper I signed simply stated that all parties were consenting to a change of roommate.

2. There are no smoke detectors in the apartment at all. I did not notice this when I first moved in, but I am becoming increasingly concerned by this.

3. Today multiple maintenance workers entered all of the apartments in our complex. We were not notified of this, and one of them was spraying some type of poison and then declined to comment on what it was or why he was doing it.

My greatest concern is that since I have not formally signed a lease the rental company can still bind me by the rules of said lease, and in return if I question their behavior will do the opposite and say that I have not signed any lease, and therefore am not protected by it.

 

[Hot Topic]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Iowa

I have a few concerns about the apartment I moved into a few months ago.

1. First of all I have not signed any lease. I have only signed a change of roommate agreement that does not mention a lease whatsoever, and I notice that the former occupant is still listed as living here according to the Rental Company. The paper I signed simply stated that all parties were consenting to a change of roommate.

2. There are no smoke detectors in the apartment at all. I did not notice this when I first moved in, but I am becoming increasingly concerned by this.

3. Today multiple maintenance workers entered all of the apartments in our complex. We were not notified of this, and one of them was spraying some type of poison and then declined to comment on what it was or why he was doing it.

My greatest concern is that since I have not formally signed a lease the rental company can still bind me by the rules of said lease, and in return if I question their behavior will do the opposite and say that I have not signed any lease, and therefore am not protected by it.

You should have dealt with your concerns "a few months ago."

You have a roommate. Why haven't you asked him or her some of your questions?

How do you know the maintenance worker was spraying "some type of poison" if he wouldn't tell you what it was or why he was doing it? What was your roommate's opinion?

I trust you kept a copy of the paper you signed that said that all roommates consented to a change of roommates.

What did the rental company say when you asked about the smoke detectors?

Most importantly, why did you move in if you had such doubts?

 

[CarlJay89]

You should have dealt with your concerns "a few months ago."

You have a roommate. Why haven't you asked him or her some of your questions?

How do you know the maintenance worker was spraying "some type of poison" if he wouldn't tell you what it was or why he was doing it? What was your roommate's opinion?

I trust you kept a copy of the paper you signed that said that all roommates consented to a change of roommates.

What did the rental company say when you asked about the smoke detectors?

Most importantly, why did you move in if you had such doubts?

These concerns have arisen just recently. It was clearly poison that he was spraying because the truck he was driving was a local pest control company. Yes I still have a copy of the paper I signed. I have not asked about the smoke detectors because I just recently noticed it. When you are used to every single room having a smoke detector in it you forget to look.

I moved in because it was my only option to be able to attend college in this town within my budget limitations. My roommate was the only person I knew, and the 6 other rental companies I went through were asking $700 - $850 for a one BDRM apartment. Your average mortgage in this area is roughly the same.

 

[Gail in Georgia]

The maintenance person was doing routine pest control. Very common in apartment complexes. Check with your roommate to see if their lease includes a clause for routine pest control (similar to many leases that include routine filter changes in heating/air conditioning units).

Requirements for smoke detectors in Iowa are outlined in the attached:

http://www.legis.state.ia.us/aspx/ACODOCS/DOCS/661.210.pdf

Gail

 

[sandyclaus]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Iowa

I have a few concerns about the apartment I moved into a few months ago.

1. First of all I have not signed any lease. I have only signed a change of roommate agreement that does not mention a lease whatsoever, and I notice that the former occupant is still listed as living here according to the Rental Company. The paper I signed simply stated that all parties were consenting to a change of roommate.

2. There are no smoke detectors in the apartment at all. I did not notice this when I first moved in, but I am becoming increasingly concerned by this.

3. Today multiple maintenance workers entered all of the apartments in our complex. We were not notified of this, and one of them was spraying some type of poison and then declined to comment on what it was or why he was doing it.

My greatest concern is that since I have not formally signed a lease the rental company can still bind me by the rules of said lease, and in return if I question their behavior will do the opposite and say that I have not signed any lease, and therefore am not protected by it.

If you are an authorized roommate or subtenant under the original parties to the lease, you are bound to ALL of the terms under that lease whether or not you signed it. The lease governs here. If you have issues about your rights and responsibilities under the lease, I suggest that you ask to see a copy of it as it pertains to ALL OCCUPANTS.