Comments on: Is a broken window considered an emergency repair?

By: Irv S

Irv S — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 01:14:17 +0000

In the middle of winter????
It is considered an emergency repair.

By: parsley_lucre

parsley_lucre — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 10:25:50 +0000

It can be considered an “emergency” depending on the kind of window repair the landlord was doing. If the window or the latch is broken then it can be a security problem (in which case you might want it fixed quickly too, especially if you are on or near the ground-floor where a crook could have easy access to your place). The landlord should still try to contact you though to let you know the repair is taking place and knock on your door several times before using a key to enter the premises. Once inside they should definitely announce their presence loudly so if you’re in the shower you know before wandering down the hall in a towel. It’s very rude of them to leave your doors open so your pets could escape. Was your son home the entire time they were repairing the window? Just wondering if he could have shut the doors and made sure the cats didn’t get out.

By: funrldirect

funrldirect — Sat, 29 May 2010 02:22:44 +0000

Your landlord certainly has the right to enter your dwelling, especially to make a repair. But, he has to make reasonable efforts to contact you prior to entering. A knock, a phonecall, etc. He can’t just let himself in for the heck of it, even if it is for a repair. Especially if you have a minor in the home. Leaving the door wide open and letting your cats out is certainly just plain old rude. I would file a report with the police department and see where that gets you. This is a violation of your space and privacy. Even renters are entitled to “a reasonable level of privacy” Just be cautious, filing a report will most likely result in an angry landlord, and who knows what he will do to get you back.

I also suggest that you get a door chain or lever, like they have in hotels. That way when your son is home he can latch the door from the inside and the landlord would have to force his way in. That would certainly be illegal for something like a broken window.

By: Patrick M

Patrick M — Thu, 27 May 2010 07:54:47 +0000

it’s kind of up to the landlord in that case. I mean if it was something smaller like the sink backing up then definitely not, but a window could pose a security risk as well as increase the heating bill

By: kari_cinci05

kari_cinci05 — Sun, 23 May 2010 21:33:24 +0000

No that is illegal,,,most aparments either let you know b/c they need your permission to enter your apartment, i would make a complaint, its one thing to knock to let you know who it is, its another to just let themselves in!