# Can they come in my apartment? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 23, 2003, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-they-come-in-my-apartment/163458 "2003-03-23T00:44:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2003, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-they-come-in-my-apartment/163458/1 "2003-03-23T00:44:30Z")
I live in an apartment complex. A maintenance man knocked on my door a while back, and I noticed he was carrying a big box of keys. I didn’t really think much of it until later when I got home to my apartment and there was a business card from an exterminator on my kitchen counter. Since then I’ve noticed that the management authorizes various maintenance-type people to enter apartments pretty regularly- they knock, wait, knock again, then use the keys to do what they have to do inside- check heaters, replace fire extinguishers, whatever. The thing is, I’m never notified prior to these “inspections.” There’s nothing in the lease about other people having access to the apartment. Is this a standard practice with landlords? Don’t I have some kind of right not to have my apartment entered at random intervals? I mean, I live here, so obviously there’s some damn valuables around… anybody know if this is illegal or if I can do anything about it? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2003, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-they-come-in-my-apartment/163458/2 "2003-03-23T00:56:43Z")
I knw that here in New Jersey, they are required to notify you 24 hours in advance, except in the event of an emergency, such as a gas leak in your apartment. I would imagine the law is similar in Florida, but I don’t know for sure. ---
**Author:** ![Gulo\_gulo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bcef8e/32.png) [@Gulo\_gulo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gulo_gulo)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2003, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-they-come-in-my-apartment/163458/3 "2003-03-23T01:07:27Z")
I’ve _always_ heard that you needed to be given at least 24 hours notice before your landlord (or anyone he sends) enters your home. However when I did a search for Florida rental laws, it seems to say 12 hours notice. I checked [this](http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0083/SEC53.HTM&Title=-%3E2002-%3ECh0083-%3ESection%2053) site and it says: > [@](#): > > (2) The landlord may enter the dwelling unit at any time for the protection or preservation of the premises. The landlord may enter the dwelling unit upon reasonable notice to the tenant and at a reasonable time for the purpose of repair of the premises. “Reasonable notice” for the purpose of repair is notice given at least 12 hours prior to the entry, and reasonable time for the purpose of repair shall be between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. The landlord may enter the dwelling unit when necessary for the further purposes set forth in subsection (1) under any of the following circumstances: > > (a) With the consent of the tenant; > > (b) In case of emergency; > > © When the tenant unreasonably withholds consent; or > > (d) If the tenant is absent from the premises for a period of time equal to one-half the time for periodic rental payments. If the rent is current and the tenant notifies the landlord of an intended absence, then the landlord may enter only with the consent of the tenant or for the protection or preservation of the premises. > > (3) The landlord shall not abuse the right of access nor use it to harass the tenant. So methinks you need to have a little chat with your landlord. ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2003, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-they-come-in-my-apartment/163458/4 "2003-03-23T01:13:43Z")
You don’t have to tell me twice, **Gulo gulo** … there will be a chat… much appreciated.