Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in New Jersey

tennant rights

I rent a basement apartment in New Jersey. The apartment was rented with several pieces of furniture, but it would be a stretch to call it furnished. The home owner lives in the house. Several times now she has entered my apartment in my absence. The first to remove a chest from the living room because another renter needed a place to store clothing, and the second to switch TV sets that she had originally insisted on us trading. This time she totally disconnected my stereo system, and knocked out my cable and internet access along with my phones. She also just left the replacementTV in the middle of the floor. Is she allowed to enter my area like this?


Asked on 11/18/07, 9:36 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Frank Bosley Law Offices of Frank T. Bosley, LLC

Re: tennant rights

The short answer is �no�. Generally speaking, landlord�s can only enter a tenant�s apartment after providing proper notice (absent some emergency). To do otherwise, is a violation of law (harassment, trespassing, breaking & entering, etc.) You should probably first ask the landlord why this is happening. Your situation sounds a bit unique because it is a �basement� in a house, which may/may not even be zoned for rental, but that is nothing but a guess on my part.

Keep in mind that this advice is given based on the small amount bit of information that you have provided in your question. My advice may change based on other information. Further, you should not rely on advice from an attorney who has not been formally retained.

If you would like to consult with me in more detail on this matter, please send an email to my office to arrange for further discussion. Include a note in your email that mentions Law Guru, and there will be no charge for the initial consultation (whether by phone or email).

All the best,

Frank Bosley

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Answered on 11/27/07, 7:19 pm


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