You won't like me when I'm angry....

[derketchup]

OK, so here's the whole story:

I get home from college today to find myself being asked who I am by an unknown lady.

I said, "first, who are you."

She introduces herself as the new building manager for my apartments. Then she tells me, that they changed the locks on all the doors that afternoon!!!

What the *&@^@*. I asked why.

"The previous building manager was fired because of some privacy issues."

So... they obviously had to OPEN MY DOOR to change the lock. I was not given the required notice. I was not notified at ALL.

On the one hand, I'm happy that they're concerned about the security of the apartments here.

On the other hand, HELLO.... I have a right to my privacy and YOU have laws you need to follow.

I haven't done anything yet except take my new keys and keep the copy of the letter they had posted on my door in case I wasn't home.

What would YOU do?

[AshburnMom]

I think I'd ask what privacy issues?!!?? They felt they needed to change ALL the locks?? Pretty creepy! What the h#ll was he doing?? I think I'd be more worried about that!

Although it does tick me off when someone calls me and asks me who I am!

[bpirkle]

I don't know what state you are in but check your leasing agreement. We have something in ours that states they may enter the apartment without prior consent if they see the need, i.e. emergencies, inspections, etc. If they cannot provide the prior warning a note saying that they entered is sufficient. Sucks...we get it all the time.

[tmsmalley]

What would YOU do?

Absolutely nothing. I'm a 3rd generation renter (now homeowner). This is going to come under the category of "emergency" repair. You don't have a right to prior notice in that case. There's certainly a much greater issue if they fired the guy, he had keys and was waiting to jump out of your closet on you in the middle of the night.

Sorry!
Tess

[shashabell]

This makes me think back to the time I lived in an apartment and I get a call at work from the landlord telling me they just went into my apartment and took my fridge out and gave me a different one. I was like "What?" It was already done, so I guess I couldn't tell them no wait until I get home. It did bother me some back then especially when I found out from one of the neighbors that my cat got out and they were looking for her. Anway, I was laid back in those days, but I tell ya if it happened today with the way I am now I would go postal. (ok, now I'm pi$$ed thinking about it. LOL)

I would send them a letter of what happened and that you never want them to enter your apartment without your permission again and send a copy to the owner.

[sati769leigh]

heads would freaking roll. emergency is the water broke or something. emergency to me is not THIS. i would freaking be hunting some heads if anyone pulled this BS with me.

[derketchup]

I don't know what state you are in but check your leasing agreement. We have something in ours that states they may enter the apartment without prior consent if they see the need, i.e. emergencies, inspections, etc. If they cannot provide the prior warning a note saying that they entered is sufficient. Sucks...we get it all the time.

My leasing agreement states that I should go to the county courthouse and view such-and-such volume of tenant law.

What would YOU do?

Absolutely nothing. I'm a 3rd generation renter (now homeowner). This is going to come under the category of "emergency" repair. You don't have a right to prior notice in that case. There's certainly a much greater issue if they fired the guy, he had keys and was waiting to jump out of your closet on you in the middle of the night.

Sorry!
Tess

Is that really an emergency, though? I mean, I doubt he just suddenly started doing things today. He had access to my apartment for 3 months and he could have done that any day of those three months.

Don't get me wrong -- I'm happy they changed my locks! But couldn't they at LEAST call me and let me know??? Or heck, they could have mentioned it when I dropped off my rent 30 minutes prior to finding out I have new locks....

[bigsweetie]

Is that really an emergency, though? I mean, I doubt he just suddenly started doing things today. He had access to my apartment for 3 months and he could have done that any day of those three months. Just because he hadn't gotten to you yet, doesn't mean he wouldn't eventually.

Don't get me wrong -- I'm happy they changed my locks! But couldn't they at LEAST call me and let me know??? Or heck, they could have mentioned it when I dropped off my rent 30 minutes prior to finding out I have new locks....

Well i'm assuming you live in a fairly large apt. complex? If they waited for everyone to receive notice (don't forget, some people could be on vacation for weeks) it could take months. As a pp mentioned, they may have just found out this guy is a serial rapist. Maybe they found out he'd raped a girl in another apt. Just speculating but if it were me, i'd say screw the privacy and change my locks!

IMO, this was a safety issue. Think of their liability if they knew someone with a master key was dangerous and didn't take immediate action.

[pedspeech]

I also lived in an apartment building where they entered the apartments all the time (for things like spraying for bugs) with no notice. It annoyed me some, but I agree with others who said that I would rather have them change the locks for safety rather than wait for notification.

[Mothernature]

If it is an emergency, the landlord has a right to enter your apartment. Apparently, the old manager conducted himself in such a manner that the locks had to be changed immediately.