I am SO frustrated! WWYD?

[toomuchreality]

I am so frustrated, irritated, annoyed...

Last Monday I planned to go to CA with my daughter. Sunday night I found a notice that had been left at my door, advising me that mgmnt of the apts I live in, would be entering my apt sometime during the week of Nov 18th and Nov 25th, to change the furnace filter and the batteries in the smoke detector. "A brief inspection will also be performed to assess the interior condition of your apt." So I didn't go to CA, as planned. It bothers me to have people in my home if I'm not there, so I have stayed home, even though technically I could leave.

Now, after putting everything else off for a week, they still haven't come. I called the office and spoke to the manager, to find out if they are coming. I was told, very curtly, that they will be here either today, or tomorrow. And that it will be sometime between 9AM and 5PM.

Seriously?! The notice they posted already gave them a freaking week! It does not say through November 26th, it says November 25th.

Even if I didn't have other things to do, sitting on pins and needles waiting for them to show up, all day, every day, is pissing me off.

How would you handle this?



→FYI  I am not a screamer and I hate to argue. Also the mgr thinks it's funny that people think she is a major 'B'.  

[wyouser]

That sucks.

[greeniis10]

I can't say whether or not I would've gone on the trip (depends on how much money, planning, time, etc. was involved), but at this point I wouldn't sit around and wait for them all day.  I'd probably leave a note posted to the door to call you on your cell when they are coming in, as you'd like to be present.  Whether they actually would or not, I don't know but I'd be pretty annoyed at the whole situation, too.

[steff]

Kill em all and blame it on holiday stress. 

[ArchietheDragon]

Tell them to give you a time to be there. You will be there. If they don't come at that time they are not authorized to go into your house.

[NancysSummerSip]

If they don't come at that time they are not authorized to go into your house.

And tell them you mean business. You're going to booby trap the place. (I actually first wrote that as boogertrap, which could be interesting, too). Big fat piles of unidentifiable squishy goop will be placed where they will step in it, ruin their shoes and be stuck right there in place. And it will serve them right for not showing up in a timely manner. Now they are stuck there instead of you.

[ArchietheDragon]

Nov 25, 2014 15:47:34 GMT -5 Sum Dum Gai said:

Tell them to give you a time to be there. You will be there. If they don't come at that time they are not authorized to go into your house.

I'm 90% sure you can't actually do this.  Well, let me clarify, you can do whatever you want.  However, the landlord has the right to enter their unit whether you're present or not as long as they gave you enough notice, which they did in this case.  I'm not a lawyer, but I've signed my share of leases.  They all allow the landlord to enter the unit with a set amount of written notice.  I'm pretty sure state law allows the same thing even if it isn't specified in your lease.

If they tell you they are coming in your apartment some time in the next year to do an inspection, does that give them the right to enter your unit 6 months from now when you are not there, as they gave notice?

[Wisconsin Beth]

Nov 25, 2014 15:47:34 GMT -5 Sum Dum Gai said:

Tell them to give you a time to be there. You will be there. If they don't come at that time they are not authorized to go into your house.

I'm 90% sure you can't actually do this.  Well, let me clarify, you can do whatever you want.  However, the landlord has the right to enter their unit whether you're present or not as long as they gave you enough notice, which they did in this case.  I'm not a lawyer, but I've signed my share of leases.  They all allow the landlord to enter the unit with a set amount of written notice.  I'm pretty sure state law allows the same thing even if it isn't specified in your lease.

Does that still apply even though they didn't show up in their own specified time frame? 

[ArchietheDragon]

Nov 25, 2014 15:53:15 GMT -5 Sum Dum Gai said:

That's not the notice they gave, they gave her a specific day and the reason for the entry.  I'm pretty sure she has no legal leg to stand on with the come at this specific time or don't come in because I won't be there.  It's not her house/apartment.  It's the landlords.  They have to follow state law on notices and stuff, but they have a right to check out their own property and do maintenance.

They gave her a specific week.  that is bullshit, if you ask me.   pardon my Quebec. 

[ArchietheDragon]

Nov 25, 2014 15:56:08 GMT -5 Sum Dum Gai said:

If you don't want to deal with bullshit from a landlord buy your own place.  Otherwise, their building, their rules.

hell ya. 


and then defecate all over the walls before moving out.  

[ArchietheDragon]

Nov 25, 2014 15:06:00 GMT -5 toomuchreality said:

I am so frustrated, irritated, annoyed...

Last Monday I planned to go to CA with my daughter. Sunday night I found a notice that had been left at my door, advising me that mgmnt of the apts I live in, would be entering my apt sometime during the week of Nov 18th and Nov 25th, to change the furnace filter and the batteries in the smoke detector. "A brief inspection will also be performed to assess the interior condition of your apt." So I didn't go to CA, as planned. It bothers me to have people in my home if I'm not there, so I have stayed home, even though technically I could leave.

Now, after putting everything else off for a week, they still haven't come. I called the office and spoke to the manager, to find out if they are coming. I was told, very curtly, that they will be here either today, or tomorrow. And that it will be sometime between 9AM and 5PM.

Seriously?! The notice they posted already gave them a freaking week! It does not say through November 26th, it says November 25th.

Even if I didn't have other things to do, sitting on pins and needles waiting for them to show up, all day, every day, is pissing me off.

How would you handle this?



→FYI  I am not a screamer and I hate to argue. Also the mgr thinks it's funny that people think she is a major 'B'.  

What state do you live in?

[gooddecisions]

WWYD? Gone on the trip as planned. Landlords care more about their property than most renters. They have the keys and I would have been thrilled that they took care of something without my needing to be there. I hate waiting on people.

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

Exactly. They have a master key/pass key for all the suites - they pretty much have to in case of emergency. (Pipes breaking, etc).

They can enter any time. Most will knock first, and then if needed, use their key. At least your LL gave you written notice ahead of time that they would be coming "some time" between the 18th & 25th.

So they never got to your suite by the 25th, but maybe they had other suites or properties to also check out.

Just take any jewelry or valuables with you, and go ahead with your plans. No point you sitting around for a week hoping they'll show up, and getting frustrated over it when they haven't.

[hoops902]

Nov 25, 2014 15:56:08 GMT -5 Sum Dum Gai said:

If you don't want to deal with bullshit from a landlord buy your own place.  Otherwise, their building, their rules.

This isn't true at all.  It's their building, but they are required to follow the law, not "their rules".  It's perfectly within OP's rights to say that after the time they indicated they will be there (which ends today), that they no longer have authorization to enter the apartment unless they follow the rules of notification for that new time.

[weltschmerz]

Nov 25, 2014 15:06:00 GMT -5 toomuchreality said:

I am so frustrated, irritated, annoyed...

Last Monday I planned to go to CA with my daughter. Sunday night I found a notice that had been left at my door, advising me that mgmnt of the apts I live in, would be entering my apt sometime during the week of Nov 18th and Nov 25th, to change the furnace filter and the batteries in the smoke detector. "A brief inspection will also be performed to assess the interior condition of your apt." So I didn't go to CA, as planned. It bothers me to have people in my home if I'm not there, so I have stayed home, even though technically I could leave.

Now, after putting everything else off for a week, they still haven't come. I called the office and spoke to the manager, to find out if they are coming. I was told, very curtly, that they will be here either today, or tomorrow. And that it will be sometime between 9AM and 5PM.

Seriously?! The notice they posted already gave them a freaking week! It does not say through November 26th, it says November 25th.

Even if I didn't have other things to do, sitting on pins and needles waiting for them to show up, all day, every day, is pissing me off.

How would you handle this?



→FYI  I am not a screamer and I hate to argue. Also the mgr thinks it's funny that people think she is a major 'B'.  

I would have gone on the trip.
What would you have done if it was during a work week? Take the week off work?

[Deleted]

Nov 25, 2014 15:35:31 GMT -5 greeniis10 said:

I can't say whether or not I would've gone on the trip (depends on how much money, planning, time, etc. was involved), but at this point I wouldn't sit around and wait for them all day.  I'd probably leave a note posted to the door to call you on your cell when they are coming in, as you'd like to be present.  Whether they actually would or not, I don't know but I'd be pretty annoyed at the whole situation, too.

There is no good solution to this.  I think Greeniis10 came up with a middle of the road solution which is probably best.  I just shudder at people going thru my things, especially my jewelry.  Nothing of great value but I wouldn't wan anyone to walk off with it. 

You can't put your life on hold for a long period of time.  I just don't know what I would do.

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

And since they're changing the filters in all the suites (as well as checking smoke detectors, etc - it takes time - and then there are other more important emergencies that might have cropped up in the meantime.

The majority of landlords aren't going to be snooping around your personal possessions, or rummaging through your underwear drawer.

I sure wouldn't put my life on hold (or travel plans) just to sit around for a week and get angry & frustrated.

If you were at work and they had to come in for some logical reason, you'd probably be none the wiser. They at least let you know in advance they'd be visiting your suite "some time" within the 7 days.

[weltschmerz]

Nov 25, 2014 17:28:30 GMT -5 @ezzie said:

Nov 25, 2014 15:35:31 GMT -5 greeniis10 said:

I can't say whether or not I would've gone on the trip (depends on how much money, planning, time, etc. was involved), but at this point I wouldn't sit around and wait for them all day.  I'd probably leave a note posted to the door to call you on your cell when they are coming in, as you'd like to be present.  Whether they actually would or not, I don't know but I'd be pretty annoyed at the whole situation, too.

There is no good solution to this.  I think Greeniis10 came up with a middle of the road solution which is probably best.  I just shudder at people going thru my things, especially my jewelry.  Nothing of great value but I wouldn't wan anyone to walk off with it. 

You can't put your life on hold for a long period of time.  I just don't know what I would do.

You can always take your jewellery with you or hide it. I've hidden my jewellery in the bag of cat litter when I knew workers were going to be there to rewire the electricity in my kitchen.
They might snoop through a jewellery box, but nobody is going to out a 15 kg bag of cat litter.

[billisonboard]

Nov 25, 2014 17:28:30 GMT -5 @ezzie said:

... I just shudder at people going thru my things, especially my jewelry.  Nothing of great value but I wouldn't wan anyone to walk off with it. ...

They have a key to apartment. If they are going to steal stuff, they could very easily do so just about anytime you are gone.

[Bonny]

I would have gone too.

Noticing for work like this depends on the jurisdiction. In CA I can give 24 hours notice to either show or inspect the property. The tenant has a right to be there but technically I don't need to accommodate a tenant's schedule. If I have a good relationship with a tenant I will work with their schedule or in the case of showings (for rent or sale) we agree on certain time frames with shorter notice.

A week sounds overly broad. If I wanted to be present for the inspection I would have phoned as soon as I got the notice and arranged a specific time.

[Shooby]

I would have gone. If they want to get in , they will get in. And I think if they came and your big screen TV turned up missing , thats pretty obvious.

[Deleted]

Nov 25, 2014 18:33:23 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

Nov 25, 2014 17:28:30 GMT -5 @ezzie said:

... I just shudder at people going thru my things, especially my jewelry.  Nothing of great value but I wouldn't wan anyone to walk off with it. ...

They have a key to apartment. If they are going to steal stuff, they could very easily do so just about anytime you are gone.

Now THAT gives me a warm, fuzzy, secure feeling!!!!!!!!!!!

[Shooby]

It's true. So what?

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

Chances of them going through your things, or stealing anything are between slim & none. They want to get into your place to fix what they're there to fix, and then move on to the next suite or problem they have to deal with.

I sure wouldn't sit around for 7 days "hoping" they'd show up - and cancel travel plans or anyplace else I had to be, just to stay home and get pissed-off when they don't make an appearance.

They already have access to your place - they at least gave notice.

As I said yesterday to TMR, take any jewelery or valuables with you, hit the road and have a good time. The chances of them snooping through your stuff, or rifling your underwear drawer are marginal and highly unlikely.

If you have a full-time job, would you take a week off to sit around?

[Tennesseer]

Keep in mind, they are checking all the units.  If those checking the units were ripping off the residents, management would know about it after the first few units' residents came home and discovered things were askew or missing. 

[Shooby]

What is the worst that could have happened? And do u have Renter's insurance?

[Tennesseer]

Nov 25, 2014 22:50:17 GMT -5 Shooby said:

What is the worst that could have happened? And do u have Renter's insurance?

Renter' insurance is great for replacing a HDTV, microwave, and other impersonal items. Few folks get too attached to their TV. Renter's insurance does not replace the great personal sense of loss when a long-held family heirloom is stolen from your home.

I had renter's insurance when my apartment was broken into many years ago while I was at work. Someone stole the TV, VCR and microwave. Easily replaced with the insurance. What was not replaced was my sense of security. No insurance covers that.

[toomuchreality]

ArchietheDragon
I'm in Utah.

As for what I would do if I worked... When I was working, I owned my own home, so I didn't have to deal with this kind of stuff.  At this point in my life, I am no longer working outside the home. I have no desire to maintain a home. Therefore I choose to rent.

I have known plenty of landlords who go through their tenants belongings. One manager would go in an apt while the tenant was gone (supposedly just the ones they didn't like), snoop through things, then if they found something (marijuana or?), they would make up some story about how they'd gotten complaints or something. It may not be the most common thing, but I know it happens.

It's not a matter of things being stolen, as much as it is feeling violated. I'd rather just remove all question about whether they did or not. That's why I chose to stay home and wait. Plus I have a sick ferret, that does not live in a cage, that I worry about.


I understand they are within their rights, when they give notice. It doesn't matter if I like it or not. But now that I've stayed home and waited for the whole freaking week, they still haven't come. Although I want my apt maintained, I don't like feeling disrespected. My time tomorrow is every bit as valuable to me, as theirs is. Yet I was told (verbally, today) that if they didn't make it today, they would come tomorrow sometime. When I tried to get a time frame (heck, I didn't even push for an appointed time. Just a time frame.) You'd have thought I was the most horrible tenant in the world, by the reaction (tone of voice) I got.

I feel like I have done my part. It's not my fault they didn't do theirs, within the whole freaking week they allotted themselves. Yes, it is a complex and they are doing the same thing in all the apts. Everyone got a notice. But not everyone got the work done in the specified time frame. I would pretty much guaranty you that all tenants paying full 'market value' rent, got done during this time. Although I don't receive housing, am not on section 8 etc. It is the bldg in which these tenant reside, that the work has not yet been completed.

I have lived in these apts for a long time (going on 12 yrs). They have always managed to get this same thing done in the past, over a 2 day (3 max) period. But this year they can't? If they need additional help, they should get it. If they need to do half the apts one week, and half another, do it. But don't make me sit all week waiting and then not show up. And especially don't do this, and then be a bitch to me when I inquire about it!

If the manager had been nice, or apologetic about the situation, although I may not like it, I would suck it up and just deal with it I would be understanding. But she wasn't either nice, or apologetic.

I guess at this point, I can let her walk all over me and say nothing, I can post my frustration on facebook in a very factual (passive/aggressive) way (I know she will see it, as we are facebook 'friends'), or I can have a chat with her supervisor about my frustrations. I'm not moving out at this point, so we don't need to even go there.  I feel torn.  My first choice would be to have an adult to adult talk with her, directly. I tried to do that today. FAIL.  → That's not what she does best! 

FWIW- Her husband is a cop and clearly runs things at home. I was told that her father was the same way, growing up. In my opinion, this  (work) is where she gets to run things and be the king/queen/dictator.  (I met/knew her/them first socially for a few years, before becoming a tenant)

Quite honestly, I think I get treated better than most around here. But that doesn't mean I get treated 'well'. I would say it makes it tolerable, most of the time, at best.

I'm just really frustrated. I feel disrespected and like they don't care.

[Shooby]

I think you are creating a lot of self induced angst over this. It really is a not worth that knot in your stomach is it? I stopped trying to figure out why people do what they do a l9ng time ago. Makes life much more pleasant.

[toomuchreality]

Nov 26, 2014 0:16:59 GMT -5 Shooby said:

I think you are creating a lot of self induced angst over this. It really is a not worth that knot in your stomach is it? I stopped trying to figure out why people do what they do a l9ng time ago. Makes life much more pleasant.