Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Illinois
Entry by Landlord without my permission
If my landlord enters my apartment without my knowledge or permission, when I am not present, do I have the legal right to change the locks without his permission? He claimed he was there to repair something, but I do not believe his wife, who was with him, had any valid reason.
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Entry by Landlord without my permission
You probably do not have a right
to change your lock, but you may
want to file a police report for
trespass and take it to the Office
of the State's Attorney and see
what that office may want to do.
However, before you do this, take
a look at your lease on the subject
of the landlord making repairs,
if you have a lease. Generally, a
landlord is not to enter your apartment, without notice to you.
Re: Entry by Landlord without my permission
Most leases contain provisions that permit access to your apartment for routine and emergency maintenance. Also, I'll bet the lease provides that you can't change the locks. It is very rude, however, not to advise a person that they will be at your apartment to conduct routine maintenance on a certain date/time. I would explain to the landlord that if they gain access in this manner again, i.e., without prior notification, that you won't renew the lease.