Renting rights…?
When somebody rents a room in a house. Does the owner has a right to inspect his/ her personal things without the renter’s knowledge while he’s away? The room is locked but the owner has a spare key. How about right to privacy? Any law on this?
Tagged with: personal things • renter • right to privacy • spare key
Filed under: Personal Privacy Rights
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I do not know about the United States, but in Canada the answer to whether or not he should be able to waltz into your room without you there is a defintie NO. You pay to use this space. That makes it yours (to a reasonable degree). Under the TPA (Tenant Protection Act), a landlord must give his tenant 24 hours notice prior to entering the premises without your presence. Keep in mind that this legislation has been amneded recently; however, I can hardly see them changing that particular portion of it. He absolutely cannot simply walk into your room unless he can cite some sort of emergency or major reason to be in there (ie-smoke coming out from under the door…some sort of visible indication of a problem.)
I highly suggest you simply move if this becomes a serious problem.
We don’t know what jurisdiction you’re in. As always you should consult a lawyer.
However, here’s the basic framework.
The law in every American jurisdiction gives a tenant the right to be left alone by the landlord. When a landlord unreasonably and without notice interferes with the tenant’s privacy, the landlord can be said to have violated the "the right to quiet use and enjoyment". You could probably sue the dude. But you’ll never know without hiring a lawyer.
No, they cannot do that. You should read your lease over, and see what you’re obligated to do.
Do you have a lease? Have you read it?
It depends on the lease.
However, in most cases the landlord must inform
the leasee unless there is an emergency.
That is, if the house is burning down, they can
enter without informing the tenant … but otherwise,
no.
They have the right to enter, but they must give notice 48 hours ahead of time that they will enter the room/residence, and tell you what time they will enter. (ie between 9-5pm)
The trick is to also be able to PROVE it in a court of law. I would advise getting one of those inexpensive baby monitors that you can hook up to your TV and record. A picture is worth a thousand words in court.