Protecting the tenant-landlord relationship is important. But what’s more urgent is making sure that both rights of the parties are properly observed.
When a renter signs a lease, he or she is agreeing to some stipulations with the landlord. This includes security and privacy. We all treasure our privacy, and there are times in a tenant’s life that privacy issues arose due to his or her tenant’s lack of knowledge about the tenant’s rights.
The following are some of the most vital things that you have to remember about privacy and security issues with your landlord.
WHEN CAN YOUR LANDLORD ENTER YOUR SPACE?
The landlord might be the owner of the property but that doesn’t mean that he or she has the right to enter it with or without your notice. The landlord must always notify you when he or she enters your premises. The following are the only instances in which the landlord may enter without your notice:
- In case of emergency – Emergencies include sudden fire, or when there’s an accident happening in the area.
- For repairs – The landlord may enter your place when you notify him or her of a certain repair.
- For showing – The landlord may also enter when he or she is showing the property to a possible renter.
- For inspection or for security issues – Warrant arrest is another instance in which the landlord may enter. Inspection for the sake of strengthening the building is another reason for the landlord to enter the space.
WHAT ARE THE EXAMPLES OF INVASION OF TENANT PRIVACY?
Unfortunately, invasion of tenant privacy is very common. Below are some examples that you need to be aware of for your own safety:
- When the landlord lets someone else enter the property without your permission or notice.
- Gossiping about the tenants to other tenants or giving informal information about the tenant to strangers.
- Restricting guests even though this clause is not part of the lease or there are no substantial reasons to restrict guests.
- Unnecessary spying on tenants that are too frequent without any further reason.
- Changing locks without the notice of the tenant.
- Unplugging utilities without a good reason.
- Sexual harassment such as whistling, unnecessary comments, etc.
WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN THESE INSTANCES HAPPENED?
The first thing that you need to do when your security and privacy is invaded is to check your lease. Check if anything in the lease is challenged. If you don’t have a lease, then remember the oral agreement that you and your landlord agreed upon to.
The next thing that you should do is to seek help of a professional. Call a lawyer in case something harsh happened between you and the landlord.
If it’s only a minor threat, try talking with your landlord. Try straightening the issues about the privacy clause of your lease. The more the two of you know, the more efficient your relationship will be with each other.
Image source: http://www.persquare.com.ph/for-sale/house-lot-calabarzon-region-4-a-quezon-lucena/lucena-city-4-bedroom-house-for-sale-camella_dd25d63c215f3d1e6b550fd21425617bc5e7948 – Penchart Realty
