RI - landlord harassment, illegal entry, threatening, etc

My landlord has been letting himself into our apartment multiple times since my partner and I moved here in August. He has flat out refused to give us any notice, and told us that it's "his" apartment, so he can do whatever he wants.

-About a month after we signed the lease, and during the time we were moving in (but not home), he showed our apartment to other people (who moved into the third floor and told us what happened) and told them it was available to rent.

-The landlord came in one day simply to look at our book collection. We know this because they told us, and my partner's mother, that they did so.

-One morning we went out for two hours and came home to find our keys did not work. It turns out the landlord decided to change the locks since he had new people move into the other apartments in the building. This was in October. We had to go to his place of business to find this out, and to get new keys. He didn't call or give any notice that he was changing the locks. He also refuses to give us a contact number aside from where he works, which means we can't get in touch with him most of the time.

-Our hot water did not work properly for the first month, and the landlord refused to believe us. Finally one day it was working, and it turns out he called someone and had them come in and fix it - when we weren't home. He reassured I and my partner that he would always be here to supervise when a repair person was here.

-Our oven did not work until he finally had it replaced in October. It was a gas oven and it was apparently damaged to the point where it could be extremely dangerous (told this by a professional that he had come in to "look at it" because again, he told us he didn't believe us when we said it did not work). We had to complain about this so many times before something was done. One day I came home from class to discover the doors to my apartment wide open and the repair guy was standing in my kitchen. The landlord was not present. I was told that he was going across the street to find his friend from who could help him move the new oven in from the basement. I had to leave this man in my apartment so I could go to work, and the landlord refused to leave his business (which he owns) to come supervise. When I came home that night I found the guy had not locked the doors when he left.

-Our heat did not work and when I confronted the landlord he began yelling in my face about how he's never had so many problems with one tenant, etc. He told me the heat was not his responsibility and that he was a "great landlord" for even doing anything about it. It took 4 hours to get fixed (this was in the morning, we had slept overnight without heat) and the apartment was below 50 degrees. The landlord told me to "pack my things and leave" twice and said he was "terminating the lease" which I interpreted to be kicking us out. They haven't taken any action since then but we definitely do not feel safe or secure here at this point.

-He let himself into our apartment a few days ago when we were both in bed, and refused to leave initially. We ended up calling the police, who filed a report but were essentially useless to us (told us the landlord didn't break the law, which he did, seeing as how there was NO notice given whatsoever).

Also: my partner has a severe and debilitating problem with anxiety; he is on disability and is unable to work due to this condition. The landlord badgered him to reveal the details before renting to us, which I'm sure is illegal as well. His harassing behavior and refusal to respect our privacy has made my partner's condition worsen significantly over the past few months, to the point where he is suicidal, has had to see his doctor repeatedly to have his medication doubled, etc. All of this harassment has affected our quality of life immensely and we want to take them to court, but we don't know what our chances are. I was told by a lawyer that although the landlord broke many laws (there are other issues besides what I've mentioned here, like many of our windows do not close properly or lock due to being poorly installed, one of the windows is actually nailed shut, the landlord refuses to maintain the property - he won't even replace batteries in the smoke alarms in the stairwell) there is apparently no punishment for breaking these laws. I find this really hard to believe.

Thank you for the story. I'm sorry if I didn't see a question in there, though.

ah, I guess I just wanted to know if we actually had a chance in taking them to court for harassment and negligence or not.

Okay, let's see.

As for the negligence... He has fixed the water heater, the oven, and the heat and has given you keys to the unit. Since they have been fixed, you can no longer sue him for negligence for something he hasn't done. Negligence means he has neglected to do something. Since he already has done what you are complaining about, you have no case there any more.

As for the entry, you failed to state where you live. Different states have different periods on notice required prior to entry. About half of the states have no requirement prior to entry or a requirement different that the standard 24 hours prior notice. Please list your state for more info on this. I cannot answer without knowing that information.

As for harassment... Again, without knowing your state, it is impossible to say if his entries were lawful or not. No police will do anything about it because legally he owns the property. That means as far as the police are concerned, it is a civil matter between you and the LL and they will not get involved. He complained because he has had 3 major repairs in your unit in 5 months. But complaining isn't harassment. You said that the water heater didn't work and he entered to have it fixed. You said the same about the oven and again he allowed a repairman in to fix it. Both entries were lawful because you had requested repairs. By doing such, you had requested that someone enter to fix these things (how could they fix them without entering?). Your heat appears to have been fixed within 24 hours which is a lawful and prompt repair as far as a court is concerned. Sorry, but unless the other entries were not in compliance with your state law, I see basis for a harassment case. Pleas list your state for more info.

I did specify my state, it's rhode island, hence the "RI" in the subject...

Yes, he did enter to make the repairs. Of course he needs to enter to make the repairs. However, if I tell him there is a problem and he delays the repair by several weeks or months, I am not giving him permission to enter whenever he pleases over that time - obviously!! As far as I've read even for repairs the landlord has to give 24hrs notice prior to entering. Letting the repair guy in without any supervision is not legal anywhere, neither is entering for reasons other than repair! Also, as I stated, it wasn't merely complaining that I consider harassment. The fact that he yelled in my face and told us to move out, locked us out of the apartment, entered several times without permission (and NOT only to make repairs, as I stated) is the basis for harassment. We also found out today that all the locks in this building are the same and so the other tenants can enter our apartment with their keys.

Sorry I missed the RI part. You do not need 24 hours notice to enter in RI. You actually must give 48 hours notice (2 days notice) per state law. Per your state statute, the LL can enter to make repairs (which you have requested), to inspect the place, to deal with emergencies (without notice), to do improvements to the property, to show the place to new tenants or buyers, or in your extended absence. Some judges allow that if you requested repairs, you have given permission for the LL to enter to do these repairs at some point in the next 30 days. (Many states give LLs up to 30 days to complete needed but non-emergency repairs).

An upset LL yelling at you doesn't constitute harassment any more than a tenant yelling at the LL constitutes harassment. I suggest you send a notice to the LL by certified mail stating that you want written notice of intent to entry 48 hours in advance of said entry per your state's law. This would put him on notice that he does noit have your permission to enter to do repairs without notifying you. If he continues to enter after that point, you may have a case for harassment. You would have a copy to prove he was notified to stop entries without notice but continued on in the same pattern. Good luck.

since i have moved in my landlord keeps sending me notices about having gangmembers at my house however both my husband and brother are on the rental agreement and yeah there were gang members but they are still people and my landlord complains if they stand outside my apartment to watch my child play are even to get air are smoke a ciggeratte what can i do im tried of being harassed.

What can you do? Get your husband and brother away from all gangs, clean themselves up, and try making a better impression. And if they are still hanging with their former gang member friends, make sure those people know they aren't permitted at your property. You're just asking for trouble with the LL, the law, and with other gangs. It doesn't take much for another gang to see all these people hanging out at your house and decide to "take care of business." For your child's sake and protection, I suggest you put a stop to it.

I live in Rhode Island as well.
We must all have crazy LL.
My LL on multiple occasions has let herself in my apartment, and after speaking with her... she doesnt do it for about another month.. and history repeats it self.

today i came home from work to find my back door lock as been changed - not allowing me to access the rest of the house when the "common" areas are -such as laundry and garage.
She also has moved all my things that were in the boiler room (that we were using as a small storage area) into my living room.

What can i do about this??... other than moving out!
(not having access to two exit ways is illegal..correct?)

You can hae her arrested. She is trespassing. Barring emergencies she must provide 48 hours notice to access your apartment. If she is entering without notice or permission she is trespassing, you should notify the police. And keep all communications between you, her and any authorities.