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Renter's Handbook Safety and Security
Safety and Security
Security and Safety
Many people never stop to think about the safety of their apartment
until it is too late. You have a basic right to safety within your home.
You can expect your landlord to take some necessary steps to protect the
security of your apartment. The type of security devices (locks) which
landlords provide differ, but in some areas, certain security devices are
required by minimum housing standards. Call the Code Enforcement
Department in your city to find out what, if anything, is required in your
city.
The best type of lock is a DEAD BOLT LOCK, but it may not be a required
lock for your apartment. To determine whether or not a lock is a dead
bolt, open the door and then lock it. Try to push the bolt (the part which
projects into the frame of the door) with your hand. If it does not move,
the lock is a dead bolt. If it does move, it is probably some kind of
spring latch. Spring latches are the types of locks that can often be
opened with a credit card. Dead bolt locks cannot be opened this way.
If you feel you need a dead bolt lock to be secure, contact your
landlord and request it. Try to get your landlord to agree, in writing,
that he or she will provide you with one. If your landlord refuses,
explain why you don't feel your lock is safe. If he or she still refuses,
you may consider renting elsewhere or paying for the lock yourself. If you
do pay for the lock yourself, ask for the landlord's permission (in
writing) to put the lock on before you buy it. S/he does not have to agree
to let you install it, and you probably have no right to add a lock
without her/his permission. At any rate, the landlord will probably want a
key in case of emergencies.
The money you spend on the lock is improving the landlord's property
because once the lock is in place, it becomes a fixture to the apartment
and belongs to her/him. You cannot remove it when you leave. Although this
may not be the best solution, it may still be a good idea for you to feel
safe and secure.
Generally, when looking at an apartment to rent, you should carefully
inspect it to see if there is adequate security. Check the locks on the
doors and the lighting in the hallways and stairways as well as the
parking areas. Check the windows to see if they have locks that work which
prevent them from being lifted from the frame.
Once you are in an apartment, there are some things you can do to
protect yourself. You should engrave all your valuables with your social
security number or drivers' license number. The police department in your
city may do this without charge. If not, scratch it in yourself with a
sharp object. This may help insure a return of your valuables if they are
stolen. If you go out of town for any length of time, have your mail
and/or newspaper held or have a neighbor pick them up. A telephone call is
required to hold your newspaper. Go to the post office and fill out a card
to hold your mail. You can then pick up your mail at the end of the trip.
Ask your neighbor to park her/his car in your driveway or in front of your
house so it looks as if someone is home. You may also want to put your
lights on a timer to give the place the appearance of activity.
If you are a women, you should take added precautions to reduce the
chances of being a victim of violence. Put only your first initial on your
mailbox and in the phone book. Do not set yourself up for a violent
encounter. You don't have to speak to, open the door for, or have any
contact with anyone that you do not want to -- even if you are married to
that person. If you are a victim of physical abuse or violence, whether
rape or domestic abuse, you should call the police immediately. There are
various social agencies that can help. See the "Important
Numbers" section of this handbook. In short, use common sense and
protect yourself.
When A Landlord May Enter
Most leases will have clauses that allow the landlord to enter your
apartment to examine the conditions of it or to make repairs or to show
the apartment to possible new tenants. Try to find a lease that provides
for reasonable notice, at least 24 hours ahead of time if there is no
emergency
Try also to have the landlord's entry limited to a reasonable time of
the day. If your lease is silent on this or you have an oral lease, then
deciding when the landlord may enter is not easy. The general rule
probably is that the landlord may enter with reasonable notice during
reasonable times of the day except in case of an emergency when he can
enter at any time without notice. There is no law defining the terms
"reasonable notice" or "reasonable time" so you have
little protection under the general rule.
You do have some rights to privacy in your apartment or house. If you
do not have a reasonable notice or an entry at a reasonable hour clause on
your lease, your right to privacy may still be damaged by your landlord.
If your landlord frequently comes into your apartment without notice and
at unreasonable hours, you should seek legal help. As a tenant, you are
entitled to possession of the premises and your landlord cannot interfere
unreasonably with your use and enjoyment of the premises. Therefore, if
your landlord is unnecessarily invading your right to possession and
privacy, you may take legal action against her/him.
As an alternative to seeking legal advice, or under the advice of an
attorney, you may want to send a letter like the following one to
encourage your landlord to respect your privacy: As a tenant of the premises located at (address), I have certain
privacy rights. I request that in the future you follow these reasonable
rules before entering my home:
If you follow these rules, I will welcome you as a guest whenever
possible. If you do not follow these rules, I will refuse to allow you to
enter.
Sincerely,
Tenant
Although your landlord may not have to follow these rules, stating them
clearly may clear up problems in the future. Of course, as with all
correspondence with your landlord, keep a copy.
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