Apartment Ratings :: Question - Illegal entry? (long- sorry)

Illegal entry? (long- sorry)

Asked 186 days ago

I live in Ohio and recently the property managers come into my apartment while I was asleep. I was awoken by the sound of a man in my apartment hallway. My daughter was in her room napping too and I absolutely freaked out. After a second, I heard him say "Manager" and I yelled and told him I wasn't dressed. He just stood there. I kept screaming at him to get out and let me get dressed but he didn't, and I was forced to dress with him right outside my cracked door. I told him to get the *explitive* out of my apartment, which he finally did. He had a female manager with him and they said they could come in for a 'surprise' visit. I was NEVER given prior notice, I NEVER gave them consent to enter.
They gave me numerous different reasons- I registered my dog with them a week before and they had 'suspiscion' of other pets in my apartment and they said I'd waived my rights to notice in my lease when I registered my new dog. I told them that wasn't in the lease so they said I signed something (I never did) saying they could, and when I disputed that, they said it was because I had put in my 30 day notice and they were checking for damages. They said if I didn't allow them entry right that moment, I was forfitting my right to a buy out and they were EXTREMELY rude and trying everything they could into bullying me into letting them in. Then they said they had the right to come back 3 times in a month long period. Now I'm living in constant worry that they're just going to open my door and come in whenever they please. It's just myself and my daughter here as my husband is in Iraq serving in the war.
I know this isn't legal, but what chances do I have of taking this to court and winning? All I want is out of my lease AND for the complex to send out the Ohio Revised code to all residents so that they know their rights too. According to all the things I read on this site, this isn't the first time they've done this to people and no one knew what their rights were- so the managment has gotten away with 'playing god' with all these people's lives. What can I do?

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One Answer

Answer by kupala703 on Jul 01, 2008 at 6:44AM

Would you mind me asking if this is aimco property? if so I am already going to file a case against them regarding utilities,harrassment and retaliation.Look up ohio tenant landlord law on the internet,you will find answers. also,you can take it to small claims without a lawyer I believe the max for damages is 3000 but not sure.

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