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.
