Q: I am renting a room in a man's house. Can he 1) enter daily when I'm not there and 2) dictate that I make the bed?
I have been renting the room month-to-month with a verbal agreement, no signed lease or written "rules of the house". We got along poorly and I gave him my written 30 days notice yesterday (I have rented for only 3 weeks), though I hope to move out sooner if I can. He has entered my room (door was closed) when I was absent before, and tells me that since it is his private home, he can enter at will. This is part of what is precipitating my departure. Can he do this?
We are on terrible terms now. When I left for work this morning, he sent a text saying he entered the room, made the bed (it was unmade, on purpose), and "directed" me to do so every day or else he "will be in that room every day to make the room look appropriate for showing." Can he do this?
Finally, I'm paid up through the end of next month, though 30 days from now will be before the end of that month. Is there a way for me to recoup this rent if I can find a place elsewhere before the 30 days?
A: I would suggest finding a landlord-tenant attorney in your area to discuss. It sounds like there was an unlawful entry that he admits to via text, which could be worth a month's rent. Plus, attorneys will often take these cases on a contingency basis, meaning you pay the attorney only if you win, and then only via the landlord paying you.
Gregory L Abbott agrees with this answer
A: No, he cannot legally enter your room without at least 24 hours advanced notice and he cannot enter so frequently as to be harassing (which entering everyday clearly is). Each such entry you can prove is likely worth a month's rent, plus your court costs and attorney's fees. It is none of his business whether you make your bed and you are not legally required to (except possibly by your Mom). So review everything in detail with a landlord-tenant attorney to develop a game plan for recovering your damages. Once the matter has been reviewed and your claims confirmed, it is the sort of case many attorneys would take on contingency, meaning you would not have to pay your attorney but rather they would collect their fees from the landlord upon prevailing. Good luck.
A: As for your last month's rent, the landlord has 31 days from when you restore possession to refund any pro-rated amounts due you (so be sure that he has a new address for you to mail it to). If he fails to do so, you are entitled to twice the amount not so refunded, along with your court costs and attorneys fees.
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