Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

I live in an apartment by myself and recently the apartment mangers had there annual inspection. I will not allow anyone into my apartment when I am not there; so I set an appointment for the first available day. The day came and the Apartment manager walked through my apartment with me, replaced a smoke detector completing the required inspection.

The next day when I returned from work I found a note on my counter stating that my inspection was complete. After confronting management I was told that the manager that walked through the apt with me did not notify the other managers on duty so they came into my apartment while I was at work. I feel as though my privacy was violated. Two strangers came into my apartment without my knowledge or permission. What rights do I have as a renter? Is there any action that can be taken against them for breaking the contract; which states they are to give me a notice of at least 24 hours before entering my apartment and if I wish I could set up an appointment prior to them entering?


Asked on 10/26/11, 1:13 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
George Shers Law Offices of Georges H. Shers

Yes, you have a cause of action for the second inspection not notifying you they were coming. But it is not worth very much and filing suit will only irritate the management and result in their perhaps raising your rent more than normal. You can tell them what they did was totally improper and against the law, but an apartment unit is not your castle, as a personally owned home is. Moreover, they do not have to make a mutually convenient appointment with you, just give reasonable notice, which 24 hours is deemed to be. I you put up too big of a fuss next time they may just give you a 24 hour notice and come whether or not you like the time and date chosen.

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Answered on 10/26/11, 4:05 pm


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