My apartment manager said she’s not responsble for lending keys to an employee and my belongings dissapearing!
randbj41811 asked:
She said that it was an emergency pest control for roaches so she gave the keys to the pest control guy named James, they gave notice without saying the date or time and the police said he coudn’t help. When I came back from work my TV, notebook, and some valuables were gone. She said it’s my fault because I wasn’t home.
She said that it was an emergency pest control for roaches so she gave the keys to the pest control guy named James, they gave notice without saying the date or time and the police said he coudn’t help. When I came back from work my TV, notebook, and some valuables were gone. She said it’s my fault because I wasn’t home.
I filed a police report and he said he couldn’t do anything because I didn’t have any cameras in my apartment, how outrageous.
Also they’re saying I can’t install a chain door lock because it’s illegal in this apartment.
Please help me find out how I can have this problem solved. The manager said next time if I’m not home again the pest control has the right to come in, and if anything dissapears I am the one responsible for not being home. Why are they saying this that sounds outrageous?
I think a lawyer is no good because things that were missing were not more than $2000, and the police already said I didn’t have this recorded on camera.
Donna
October 8th, 2009 at 12:22 am
Eileen
I think you need to give them notice and move out and find a decent landlord.
October 10th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Allen
First thing, my husband is a Maintenence Man for an apartment complex-actually like 13. I am going for Asst. Manager here at our complex. Heres what he has to say about your situation. Contact whoever is the head honcho of the management company, because the company he is with, if something like that needs to be done, they have to give the person 24 hour notice, and a maintenence guy has to walk in the apartment first, an leave last, because your maintenence guy, you should be able to trust. That way if something comes up missing, its his ass. The Manager lending keys to a person the does not work for the company, should be fired. Thats wrong. Bottom line, it is managements fault. Someone should have been in that apt. when they were there. I would DEFINATLY say go to court. Take them. What she did was wrong, and is trying to put it on you. Contact the company. She prolly figures if she puts this on you, you will just accept the fact that it was your fault, which it wasnt, it was hers, she shouldnt have done that, reguardless if they told you they were coming or not. They did not CLEARLY state a day or time. Nothing here is your fault. You have the right to leave or stay at your apt. any time that you would like. You were just going about every day life. She just doesnt want to get fired for something she Effe’d up on. Please take them to court, and find out the companys number. Contact them. Please do it. Let me know how it turns out.
October 12th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Lori
That is outrageous. You might need to talk to a lawyer, but take a look at your lease agreement first. Maybe there is somewhere you can get renters advise for free. Search the Internet.
In my state we (landlords) are required by law to have these large circular locks on each entry. It has three very long screws that go into the door frame and this circular shield that sit atop of it. They also have to have a peep hole too.
Police are usually unhelpful.
October 13th, 2009 at 9:11 am
Javier
I think you need to look for a new apartment at once. This could happen over and over again, and you can see no one is willing to help you. Getting a lawyer would not be worth the little bit you get and the whole lot he will get. Instead, be brave and move out as soon as you can. And get rules written down concerning this type of behavior before moving in. Privacy is privacy, and you need clarification on that rule. You will never be able to trust again, and that is a terrible way to live. Enjoy Christmas in a new place.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Kurt
Actually you can file a police report. Just go to the police station and insist to speak to a Lt. Demand you be allowed to file a police report. Then take your apt to small claims court.
Check your lease though, some apts require you carry renter’s insurance and have it written into the lease. This may prevent you from winning.
And let them know they are not to enter the apt when you are not home unless it is an emergency. Pest control is not an emergency. And what good is a chain lock if you aren’t home to lock it? That part makes no sense.
I kinda think you may not be telling the truth. But I am only 75 percent against you. I have lived in Apts for the last 25 years. I have valuable items and have never had anything stolen. Furthermore in each apt I have rented when the pest control people come, they bring a member of the staff of the complex with them, if no one is home. Or if they think no one is home, there have been times when I worked nights that they let themselves in when I didn’t hear the door and was sleeping. They also always send out advance notice of pest control service. Not too mention, there are always nosy neighbors in complexes. No one saw someone carry your tv to the pest control truck, walk back and get more stuff? In broad daylight? Okay. I mean, seriously. I have a neighbor that hates me and everyone else, but knocked on my door the minute she saw someone hit my car and drive off and this was the middle of the night.
I also have renter’s insurance for 15 bucks a months on 100, 000 worth of property, so not having it is just silly.
If you are telling the truth, you can provide the serial number and reciepts to the officer when you make the report. No theif takes the time to find the reciepts. And serial numbers are on file with the warranty too. So then, you should have no problem proving you had the items to the court either.
October 16th, 2009 at 9:24 am
Claudia
“And let them know they are not to enter the apt when you are not home unless it is an emergency.”
Telling them does nothing. They gave you notice they were going to enter, and that’s all they are required to do. You cannot deny them entry if they give proper notice.
The rest of the post was true. Get rental insurance, it’s well worth it, and I suggest (but do not require) to all of my tenants that they get it. The landlord will very rarely be held accountable for a tenants property. There is no way to prove it was the pest control people who took your stuff.
Good luck.
October 19th, 2009 at 1:24 am
Pedro
I was an apartment manager for 25 years. I managed 300 units.
They are going to hit you with how many people have you given your apartment key to? Could it be an old boyfriend that wanted his stuff back? Be prepared for that line next.
1) Roaches are not good. BUT she had to call the exterminator to visit. When she made that appointment, she should have put out notices to all the tenants. Roaches are not an emergency like fire or water. NO ENTRY.
2) No person should be given a key to anything if they are not an employee of the management company.
3) An employee should always accompany a sub contractor or vendor type person into a unit.
4) HOW could you be at home IF you were not made aware someone was coming? You do not have to be at home for an exterminator to come in.
5) You can’t install a chain lock. They have to be able to enter at all times in case of a REAL emergency without kicking the door in.
6) I would go to the police department & inquire about this. I have never heard of anything so stupid.
7) Someone on their staff or someone they sent in your unit with a key took personal items that belonged to you. The management company is responsible for this.
I can’t believe the cops didn’t question the roach guy & the maintenance guy. I guess your next move after the police would be to phone the management company & talk to them about it. I will guarantee you they are not aware of what happened. ROACHES ARE NOT AN EMERGENCY………
HOW many people do you think have cameras set up in their apartments to watch for break ins? What is wrong with these people?