Dealing with a nosy landlord can be a tricky situation, since you are actually paying rent to this person in order to have a roof over your head. Maintaining personal boundaries when dealing with your landlord can be uncomfortable and unfortunate if you have to deal with a situation where you get involved in his or her personal life. Here are some tips for dealing with a nosy landlord that can also be used to deal with nosy parents, nosy friends, nosy strangers, and nosy bosses!
First of all, there are different levels of nosy when it comes to other people. They may intrude on your private life, which can result in inappropriate behavior such as calling you frequently, texting you at random times, or in the event that the landlord makes unnecessary stops on your property. If your landlord is behaving in a way that makes you uncomfortable, it is your right to confront him (albeit gently) and seek legal help if the situation escalates.
As a tenant know what your rights are in relation to your landlord. In most tenant leases and in state laws regarding tenant-landlord relationships, there are rules about when a landlord can come by and visit your property and how much notice you must give of your visit. Your landlord should never enter your home unannounced unless there is an emergency.
With anyone nosy in your life, it’s important to first communicate the problem rather than jump into an angry argument or legal battle. Set up a time to meet with your landlord to discuss the situation and explain why you might feel that his or her privacy is being violated. Create boundaries with your landlord early on, which can minimize intrusive questions, conversations, or behavior that might arise as they get to know you better as a tenant.
If your landlord has not yet made amends and continues to violate your privacy, file a formal complaint with supporting evidence or documentation with your landlord. This should describe the violations, why you believe it is a landlord/tenant violation, and have notes on the details of the violations. If the situation progresses, this card could be valuable in a legal situation.
The final recourse for a nosy landlord situation is to move out (if it is acceptable to break your lease due to the landlord’s behavior) or consult a local housing agency or legal aid representative. Going to court may not be worth the time or money and it may be better to get rid of the housing situation altogether.
Dealing with a nosy owner can be an awkward situation, but unfortunately it happens. Being able to know when the appropriate time is to confront your landlord about nosy behavior and the ways in which you feel his or her privacy has been violated is essential to being able to have a professional conversation with your landlord as soon as possible.