Renters rights?

[Dr. Smokepuma]

What I have seen is renters basically have no rights. This is based on the old way of doing things in this country - unless you were a landowner, you didn't even get to vote. Sure you could change the locks, but if your landlord gets pissed, they could still kick in the door, take anything they like, call the cops to inform them of suspicious circumstances, say it was that way when they got there, and voila! You get what is left, and a leo investigation to boot.

it varys from state to state.but if you rent an apt you basic rights are none when it comes to safety but if your renting a house its differant for some reason i guess because it stand alone...you have a bit more right.but when it come to the fire dept fighting a fire then tehy can come right in...rent houses not apt for grows..

 

[Shiherlis]

What exactly would a routine inspection consist of?

 

[messn'n'gommin']

That's just fundamentally incorrect. It is never your property at any juncture. You are a temporary resident living at the pleasure of the owner, who has certain obligations to you as a renter rendered by the state and local housing authorities. In California, they require 24 hours notice to enter for "reasonable requests and inspections." Trying to prove a request unreasonable in court? Good luck with that. The court has said that an inspection every 90 days is reasonable when someone challenged it, for example.

What I'm saying is that there is no real advantage to the lock, because if he tries to enter when you are not home, and he wants in, he's getting in. Period. The odds of him trying to get in and throwing his hands in the air and driving home are one in a million. He'll try to get in, be furious that you had the balls to change the locks on his property, and take action. He'll find your grow anyway. Moreover, for random inspections that he gives notice on, what are you going to do when he comes knocking and noticing that you installed a new lock? That's shady as hell, he'll be furious and rightly so. You just violated your lease by messing with his physical property and causing a major safety violation for other tenants in case of emergency! It's inevitable that the landlord finds out about the new lock if he does inspections. It's like a sign that says "look at me, I'm suspicious!"

On the first point, a bit problematic I suppose, but 24 hours would give most anyone the time to get rid of their grow.

On the second point, entering someones home without permission is technically called breaking and entering and carries a criminal penalty in its own right and no locksmith that knows the law, is going to open up a door without a warrant or at the very least proof that the lock is to the primary residence of the person who is paying him to open the door.

Thirdly, personally I think it takes a very large pair for anyone to think they can come into my home unannounced or while I am not there, whenever they please. Again, B&E quickly comes to mind.

Fourthly, I am not normally a confrontational man, but I call complete, total and utter BS on that one. Although, like I said, I am not normally confrontational, the apartment/house I am renting is my home and entering it illegally (i.e. w/o permission when I am not home or unannounced), whether or not I am growing is completely beside the point and I could care less whether or not he's pissed. I learned a long time ago that it is much better to be pissed off than to be pissed on. And I say piss on the landlord that wants to piss on me and thinks he owns me as well as the property!

mess

 

[Muleskinner]

>>>What I'm saying is that there is no real advantage to the lock, because if he tries to enter when you are not home, and he wants in, he's getting in. Period. The odds of him trying to get in and throwing his hands in the air and driving home are one in a million. He'll try to get in, be furious that you had the balls to change the locks on his property, and take action. He'll find your grow anyway. Moreover, for random inspections that he gives notice on, what are you going to do when he comes knocking and noticing that you installed a new lock? That's shady as hell, he'll be furious and rightly so. You just violated your lease by messing with his physical property and causing a major safety violation for other tenants in case of emergency! It's inevitable that the landlord finds out about the new lock if he does inspections. It's like a sign that says "look at me, I'm suspicious!"
__________________

This is true, I've thought of this. Of course he can still get in if you change the locks. He can stand there swearing until the locksmith gets there.

Bottom line is, so what. If the locks weren't changed he'd be coming in too! Your grow is toast, at least with the locks changed there's a good chance he'll go away & call you later & you'll have enough time to take down.

I don't think it's unusual for tenants to want to install new locks or change locks though. I think it's common. Especially women. Do you think women want a male stranger to have keys to their house?? Hell no.

Also, if the landlord does force his way in without giving you notice, and he does NOT find a grow, then he's fucked under the law in my state.

At my last rental house, I changed the locks and did not give the landlord a key until it was asked for. I also installed a lock on the door of a storage room in the basement. Landlord never knew what was going on. I told him I had some valuable equipment, cameras, that I wanted to lock securely in the house - I have a cleaning lady, that's why. Totally normal.

 

[hkush]

I change the locks on all apartments and do not tell the owner nor do I give him a copy ever. If it is an emergency then they can do exactly what a cop or fire department would do and kick the fucker in.

Being my home while under lease or rent gives them ZERO reason even if they ask for it to come in unless in an emergency. I don't give two shits what any lease or rental agreement says because when it comes down to it, renters are like wives - cheaper to keep her.

Let the renter have their privacy versus trying to haul them to court and it getting thrown out over privacy rights or other loop hole.

Exactly. I don't rent but if I did the locks would be changed immediately. And if the landlord asked for the key the answer would be no.

Also, attempting to gain access to the property without my permission would get him charge of harassment, tresspassing, and a court ordered injunction barring him from coming near the property.

 

[robbiedublu]

I think it depends on the laws where you live and what the rental agreement says.

 

[_Dude]

What medmaker said. It's crazy to grow in an apt, but completely batshit not to change the locks or at least put a lock on the door in question. Me, I'd change the locks as a matter of policy. If they don't like it, there are plenty of other landlords out there looking for my money.

 

[maryjanesdad]

I rather deal with an angry landlord over changing the locks than with the police

 

[Centrum]

I'm pretty sure every renter has the right to change the locks and change them back when they leave.

If not, oh well!