Repairman left alone in apartment without permission

[Tambourine]

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

If repairs need to be done in an apartment and the tenants cannot be present but allow the landlord to be present with the repairman, is it illegal for the landlord to leave the repairman alone in the apartment?

My roommate and I came home early to find a repairman alone in our apartment when we expected the landlord to be there (the landlord went to his apartment upstairs). Is this grounds for getting out of our lease? If so, is there a specific code I can cite when I write the landlord a letter requesting to be let out of the lease?What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

 

[ecmst12]

No, and no. Were any of your belongings damaged or missing?

 

[Tambourine]

Nothing was stolen or damaged that day; however, shortly after this incident we were robbed by someone who had a key (no forced entry and they locked all of the locks, including the dead bolts, after leaving). They stole $6,000 + worth of stuff. The robbery was about a month after moving in and we're not even positive that the locks were changed after the last repairman finished his work, which was the same day we moved in. We had repairmen in several other times that month (we were there sometimes and not there other times). I don't know if any of this helps at all...but any information about how this might help us get out of the lease would be greatly appreciated.

Perhaps I should also mention that the person who the landlord thought robbed us is the same person who was doing work in our apartment shortly before we got robbed...he is a 'friend' of the landlord so he also spent time in the landlord's apartment (before the robbery at least).

 

[Banned_Princess]

I really doubt that you can get out of the lease. I severely doubt it.

How are you going to prove the LL facilitated the robberies, or that you were robbed at all. Anyone can call the cops and claim to have been robbed. I have never heard of robbers who lock the door behind themself.

No way, write the landlord to have the keys changed, which he should have done, since you claim the robbers had a key. and if he does it, you stay.

What makes you think the service people even got a key? maybe the LL let them in, then left.
(oh.)

 

[ecmst12]

You need to have renters insurance to cover theft of your belongings.

 

[Banned_Princess]

Perhaps I should also mention that the person who the landlord thought robbed us is the same person who was doing work in our apartment shortly before we got robbed...he is a 'friend' of the landlord so he also spent time in the landlord's apartment (before the robbery at least).

Look, you can try to talk the LL out of the lease, but the LL didn't break his duty in the lease, and he really doesn't have to let you out, but maybe with a -smaller -then -it -could -be fee. he might consider it.

And you definitely need to carry renters insurance to get any kind of compensation for your stuff.