Is Your Landlord Invading Your Privacy?
You
have a right to privacy in your home. It's hard, though, when you're renting
because your landlord can legally have access to your home at certain times. By
understanding the tenant privacy or access laws, you can know whether or not
your landlord is invading your privacy.
When Can Landlords Enter a Rental Property?
Most states allow landlords to enter rental property under certain
circumstances. Your lease or rental agreement should include these details
under the "landlord's right to access" and "tenant
privacy" sections. Typically, landlords may access their rental units to:
*Make repairs
*Inspect the property for maintenance problems or safety issues, including if
there's a fire or burglary in progress
*Show the rental unit to prospective tenants
*Show the rental unit to potential property buyers
When the reason is legitimate, landlords must provide tenants with a 24 to 48
hour notice before they enter the rental unit and enter during reasonable hours
as outlined in your state's laws.
What Actions are Considered Invasion of Privacy?
Many circumstances can be classified as invasion of privacy. They include:
1. Letting anyone other than the police or municipal inspectors enter the
rental unit without your permission.
2. Giving your financial, work, social, personal or other information to
strangers unless it's a legitimate right-to-know case.
3. Calling or visiting your workplace when there is no emergency.
4. Restricting guests without cause or in violation of lease or rental
agreement stipulations.
5. Spying on you.
6. Visiting you without cause unless you're performing an illegal activity on
the property.
7. Changing your locks, locking you out of the property or turning off your
utilities because you did something the landlord didn't like or disagreed with.
8. Sexual harassment.
If you're the victim of privacy invasion, write a letter to your landlord and ask him or
her to stop all illegal entry. Make sure your renters insurance is updated,
too, since it ensures your belongings are protected from damage caused by
illegal entry. For additional assistance, refer to your state's rental laws.