Thinking of upgrading your door security? Getting a better deadbolt or padlock? Getting a new frame or better hinges? Not sure what brand or model to go with for your particular application? Need a recommendation? Feel free to ask for advice here!
Hi, This isn't a lock picking question exactly, but a question about how to keep something locked. Who knows better how to keep something locked than experts at unlocking things? Maybe someone here has seen the type of device I wish I had.
I want to be able to keep the door of my apartment locked even when I'm not home. The catch is, my landlord has a key and I don't want them conducting any unauthorized "inspections" when I'm not home. I have a "security bar" to keep the door blocked fairly effectively, but that obviously only works when I'm inside the apartment. After a confrontation today with the maintenance staff over them wanting to conduct a "housekeeping" inspection, I'm concerned they will attempt to come back when I'm not home. Other residents in this complex have reported their property going missing if the maintenance staff came in while they weren't home.
I can't just change the locks, because that would violate the lease agreement, and isn't generally legal.
What I really want is some kind of gadget which would keep the door from opening even if the staff unlocks the door. The security bar is great, but I need something that also works when I'm not home, and which I can control from outside the door, ideally without anyone else knowing it is there.
Those devices do exist. They are mobile, and have four stands (also called legs), a part that wags at one end and teeth at the other end. Larger models tend to be less prone to bypass.
Other than that, can't think of anything that would be unlikely to violate the terms of your lease.
Gordon
Just when you finally think you have learned it all, that is when you learn that you don't know anything yet.
One of the down falls of living in an apartment is that you give up some of your privacy .. If you read your rental agreement there is probably a section that states that maintenance can enter your apartment.. but usually only for maintenance type activities. They usually have to get you prior notice and can not refuse to let you in while they are in your apartment .. In the event of an emergency (Water leak etc...) they can just enter ..
So as I see it you have a couple options..
1 - Plan to be home while they are in your apartment ..
2 - Get some kind of video surveillance device... Wireless camera hooked to your computer, place it pointing at your valuables and wait..
Hope this helps...
When I finally leave this world.. Will someone please tell my wife what I have REALLY spent on locks ...
AnnoyedResident wrote:What I really want is some kind of gadget which would keep the door from opening even if the staff unlocks the door. The security bar is great, but I need something that also works when I'm not home, and which I can control from outside the door, ideally without anyone else knowing it is there.
Does any such device even exist?
Wireless ADT alarm system so that if people enter even using a key without arranging with you first they will have to deal with the alarm...
In apartments which are rented the landlord always has a right to enter, even without notice they can knock on the door during business hours and if you don't answer they may enter to conduct an inspection...
Since the landlord is legally responsible for maintenance of smoke/carbon monoxide detectors in the rental units and keeping the building pest free for the health code in addition to being in a generally safe condition, there is more rationale for a landlord entering than not without even considering "emergencies" like water leaks, etc...
You want to keep control over who can come and go, well that's called homeownership, if you can afford it...
GWiens2001 wrote:Those devices do exist. They are mobile, and have four stands (also called legs), a part that wags at one end and teeth at the other end. Larger models tend to be less prone to bypass.
Thanks, that sounds like exactly what I'm looking for. Can you tell me what this device is called and where I might acquire one? And I assume there is some way to enable/disable it from outside the door?
And to reply to other comments: Yes, I've read my lease agreement and I understand the applicable laws in this instance. I'm aware that the apartment staff can enter if they give notice, which I have no intention of preventing (assuming they follow the stated objectives of the notice and conduct only those activities they notified me of). If an "emergency" should occur while I'm not home and the staff is unable to enter the apartment, then I suppose I will just have to accept whatever consequences there may be for violating the terms of the lease agreement. However, inspecting my "housekeeping" (which is the issue in dispute in this instance) does not constitute an emergency, nor is there any portion of my lease agreement which states that is an acceptable reason to enter my apartment. My legal representation was as equally confused as I was when I told him about the "housekeeping" inspection.
And yes, I do plan to move out. I gave them my notice today actually, and they also raised hell with me over that. I just need to survive until my lease expires.
@Evan I strongly believe that a landlord must provide 24 hours notice before entering an apartment unless it is a maintenance emergency such as water leak, etc. They cant just knock and enter 9-5 on a whim.
OP: make sure that notice to vacate is given in writing and is at least 30 days, otherwise a "hallway conversation" may not count and less than 30 days notice and they can or the local court can force you to pay next months rent, even if first, last, and security had already been paid in advance. (Ask me how I know...)
Squelchtone wrote:@Evan I strongly believe that a landlord must provide 24 hours notice before entering an apartment unless it is a maintenance emergency such as water leak, etc. They cant just knock and enter 9-5 on a whim.
Yes, that is pretty much what my lease says, as well as the law in many states. I'm not opposed to them checking the smoke detector (which is what they said they were going to do), but when they want to march in the entire maintenance staff for a previously unmentioned "housekeeping" inspection that is where I draw the line.
OP: make sure that notice to vacate is given in writing and is at least 30 days, otherwise a "hallway conversation" may not count and less than 30 days notice and they can or the local court can force you to pay next months rent, even if first, last, and security had already been paid in advance. (Ask me how I know...)
My lease actually calls for the notice 60 days in advance, if you can believe that. I have provided my notice in writing, and intend to provide another copy along with my rent check that is due in a few days, just to be sure. This apartment complex has a pattern of "losing" any paperwork that isn't in their favor.
GWiens2001 wrote:Those devices do exist. They are mobile, and have four stands (also called legs), a part that wags at one end and teeth at the other end. Larger models tend to be less prone to bypass.
Thanks, that sounds like exactly what I'm looking for. Can you tell me what this device is called and where I might acquire one? And I assume there is some way to enable/disable it from outside the door?.
I'm fairly sure he was joking...
I have been rented the last 4 years and I didn't really mind the landlord entering whenever he wanted (But he was a cool guy). I don't know if it was mandatory to let him in since we didn't even have a contract, so I can't talk about the legal aspect of it (Also, being in another country does not help), but I guess if you have somethign about that written on your papers your only choice is to install some sort of surveillance system inside your home. If you install any sort of thing in the door to prevent him from entering you will probably be breaking the contract.
GWiens2001 wrote:Those devices do exist. They are mobile, and have four stands (also called legs), a part that wags at one end and teeth at the other end. Larger models tend to be less prone to bypass.
Thanks, that sounds like exactly what I'm looking for. Can you tell me what this device is called and where I might acquire one? And I assume there is some way to enable/disable it from outside the door?
I bet your lease bans them too (pets).
mseifert wrote:2 - Get some kind of video surveillance device... Wireless camera hooked to your computer, place it pointing at your valuables and wait..
Or for a budget way of telling if they've entered, there's always the old hair-stuck-to-the-door trick.
on ebay a guy sells a specially made key that is cut in half and you insert it into your lock, (or more to the point a landlord inserts it into a deadbeat tenants lock to lock out their functioning key) and the only way to get it out is to have pick tools or to insert the other half of the key. You could basically deny your maintenance people from even inserting their key all the way in and if you got home and that special key was removed, then you'd know they were there. Here's what you need and clksupplies is a good place to buy from: http://www.clksupplies.com/shop/schlage ... -2115.html
I'm totally on board with getting a low price CCTV motion detect SD card alarm clock or picture frame which would turn on the digital video recorder and at least if they do visit when you arent there, you will have video evidence later to present them or your lawyer.
Squelchtone wrote:@Evan I strongly believe that a landlord must provide 24 hours notice before entering an apartment unless it is a maintenance emergency such as water leak, etc. They cant just knock and enter 9-5 on a whim.
Nope, since rental units may be inspected by the AHJ at any time during normal business hours, a request for a surprise inspection is in no way limited by a lease agreement between the tenant and the landlord and the landlord must provide such access... No notice is required for such inspections to occur and this is exactly the sort of thing that was going on if "housekeeping" was the word used, that means that there were some sort of health department issue elsewhere in the building and they wanted to see if the pest infestation had spread and was affecting the OP's unit -- such a visit is considered an emergency as far as housing rules go...
@OP: Why are you so freaked out about this if you have no problems or nothing to hide, 9 times out of 10 such actions are taken because another tenant has caused an issue and the landlord needs to see how badly it is impacting the entire building including surrounding tenants...
Squelchtone wrote:@Evan I strongly believe that a landlord must provide 24 hours notice before entering an apartment unless it is a maintenance emergency such as water leak, etc. They cant just knock and enter 9-5 on a whim.
Nope, since rental units may be inspected by the AHJ at any time during normal business hours, a request for a surprise inspection is in no way limited by a lease agreement between the tenant and the landlord and the landlord must provide such access... No notice is required for such inspections to occur and this is exactly the sort of thing that was going on if "housekeeping" was the word used, that means that there were some sort of health department issue elsewhere in the building and they wanted to see if the pest infestation had spread and was affecting the OP's unit -- such a visit is considered an emergency as far as housing rules go...
@OP: Why are you so freaked out about this if you have no problems or nothing to hide, 9 times out of 10 such actions are taken because another tenant has caused an issue and the landlord needs to see how badly it is impacting the entire building including surrounding tenants...
~~ Evan
It seems to me that you only see this from the landlords point of view.. it doesn't sound like you've ever had a nosy landlord who thinks they can poke around your stuff when you aren't home. The "housekeeping" inspection sounds like what a friend of mine went through while renting the 2nd floor of a house from an old lady. The lady would poke around my friend's apartment during the day and then tell her the apartment is messy and she has dishes in the sink. As long as the rent is paid and things are not being destroyed, I dont think it's any of the landlords business if someone doesnt make their bed or has dishes in the sink.
This has nothing to do with roach infestations or water leaks, and I for one would not want my privacy invaded by some over zealous landlord who takes my $1000 a month and still thinks they can walk in any time of the day when I'm not there.. that's just not cool, and I know you like to throw around the initials AHJ all the time, can I ask that you once in a while explain what it means to us who do not use that term every day? (I had to go google it...) If there is a fire, I certainly don't expect my fire department to ask my permission or give me 24 hours notice before I let them come over and put out a fire.
But I have heard that the 24 hour thing is legit, maybe not a law, but certainly something that is done, maybe as a courtesy. It's always a good idea to foster a good relationship with your landlord, sometimes it is not possible but still a good idea to try and be civilized, and that applies to both tenants and landlords.
Not to mention, that people shower, dress and get laid during business hours. Just because someone doesn't open the door doesn't mean they're not home, and sure as hell doesn't mean you can walk in. It may be the landlords house, but it is the tenants home, and you don't walk into someone else's home unannounced, unless you're a scumbag (barring genuine emergencies).
The dog suggested by Gordon (very funnyily )is probably the best long term option. Just get one which can actually keep people out Covert surveillance is also a good option.
I have always found it very strange and repelling that landlords have right and a key to jsut come and go in your aprtment. Here in the old continent you are not really allowed or supposed to enter a leased apartment any time you want. Sure there is the legal right, but it's rarely enforced. Maybe 1nce a year to check the state of the apartment. It depends on the length of contract. It's completely normal that the leaser changes the lock. If you want in you have to talk to the renter. If he doesn't let you in you can of course call the police, but it's the weirdest creepiest notion knowing that someone would have a key and the legal right to enter whenever he wants and poke around in a flat where I live in.
Evan wrote:Nope, since rental units may be inspected by the AHJ at any time during normal business hours, a request for a surprise inspection is in no way limited by a lease agreement between the tenant and the landlord and the landlord must provide such access...
The law varies so much between jurisdictions, it's not wise to make sweeping statements like that. Some jurisdictions lean crazily in favor of tenants, some are just as badly lopsided for landlords, most are somewhere in between. Not to mention other factors that can come into play (is there government housing assistance involved? Condo association(s)? HOAs? etc). You may be 100% right about your situation, but that doesn't mean it's true everywhere or applies to the original poster.
For example, I know for a fact that the authority in a nearby jurisdiction to me, where I used to have rental properties, cannot force landlords or tenants to let them in… but of course often they can play one off against the other since they only need permission from one party. (Likely if there is an issue, they can get permission from one or the other who will be unhappy.)
Around here, the state realtor's association standard form leases say (I think in accordance to the minimum requirements of state law, but I'm not 100% sure) that the landlord must give "reasonable notice", but also has some big loopholes for not just emergencies but also "for the protection or preservation of the premises" or if the "tenant unreasonably withholds consent", and some other situations about the tenant being absent for extended periods without prior notice, etc.
Anyway, my points are, a) it's all very complicated, b) what's true in RI may well not be true wherever he is, and c) free legal advice from the internet is worth every penny you pay for it.
If the original poster really has a serious issue, I'd suggest he try to find a local tenant's rights or legal aide type organization who can tell you exactly what your rights and options are for your specific situation.
ObLock: the lockout key linked to above is a cool idea, and possibly an inexpensive solution.
