What to do about horrible neighbour?

Thank you guys. It doesn't feel right at all. I used to live in a building of apartments in California and we had a building manager but he did not have the key and neither did the building handyman so knowing that some random guy in the flat next to me can potentially walk in just scares the sh*t out of me.

I will call the agency and landlord on Monday. Can't wait till we get the hell out of here in August. I'm a paranoid person so even if they say they'll take the master key off him, I won't believe it. I'll just assume he's made a copy or they've not done anything but want me off their back.

Does anyone know if I can legally install a chain type of thing on the front door? I can't find anything in my contract that is against it. Or is there a door stopper type of thing I can buy somewhere? I've been looking but can't find one anywhere. I had one in the states that was just basically a long black stick that goes from the door handle and pushes into the floor so the door can't be opened.

I'm pretty sure you can even change the locks if you want.  If you ask at the moneysavingexpert.com renting forums they have loads of advice about stuff like this.

GG, I wouldn't give a rats ars* whether it was legal or not.  I would put a chain on the door at the very, very least... and preferably change the locks.  I wish you would have taken the time to phone the agency the other day... this could all be sorted by now.  But... go to the ironmongers tomorrow and get a chain.  It will be easy enough to fit.  Then you can be slightly more comfortable in the flat on your own.  And phone the agency on Monday, first thing.  This is ridiculous, and you should not be frightened in your own home.

I certainly wouldn't let him in, under any circumstances, to do any sort of inspection. They can get someone official, or the person who did it last time. Mom lived in a building once, where they had a woman who was only supposed to be cleaning the entryways. She somehow got ahold of a master key by sweet talking someone, and would slip into people's apartments when they weren't home. She ended up fired and jailed after sneaking into the town marshal's apartment while he was home.

I'd also call the agency and police and report each and every incident. They will see it is a repeat problem. Also, as it has been mentioned, keep a record, date and time of each incident.

You should not be afraid either in your home, or coming and going from your home, and no one has the right to stalk. Even if he hasn't 'done' anything, you are frightened and that is wrong.

Big hugs to you!

Thanks for caring everyone.

We installed a chain today and are looking into getting the locks changed.

Tamamoo, I won't let him in. What that woman did in your mom's building is just horrifying. I wish I could get this guy jailed too!

I wish next time we move, we could rent a house and just change the locks on there as soon as we move in. I'm sick of flats and all the problems that come with living in a building with other people. 

GibbyGab,

I can't begin to imagine how frightening all this is, and what craptastic timing as you finish up Uni.  Hopefully the chain and possibly changing the locks makes you feel more comfortable until you guys move.

I wish next time we move, we could rent a house and just change the locks on there as soon as we move in. I'm sick of flats and all the problems that come with living in a building with other people. 

Horrible people in flats is the reason why we are currently living with my in-laws. After the ordeal we had at the beginning of the year, we needed out of our building, but being here less than six more months we knew we wouldn't get a lease anywhere.

When we get back to the States in June, our plan is to rent a house. In the area we are headed, we will be able to rent a decent - nice house for the same as a nice apartment. It may take a bit of digging around but we are going to do it.

Update?

We own our semi-detached and have pretty great neighbours but I've had weirdo neighbours before, and reading your thread gave me chills.

Update?

We own our semi-detached and have pretty great neighbours but I've had weirdo neighbours before, and reading your thread gave me chills.

Nothing new really. We've had our locks changed and the chain is still there so at least the neighbour can't come in. He's still crazy as ever though when I see him in the hallway. He still comes out of his flat to talk to me when the post man has a parcel for me. I speak to him in a cold and uninviting way and sometimes he gets the message to f*ck off.

We've had a load of car break-ins in our parking lot so he makes that an excuse to talk to me sometimes. He knocks on my door but I don't answer. He was trying to 'give me advice' on how we should be fixing our smashed up car but it was uninvited because I know exactly how, get a professional to do it! It's all fixed now anyways so there's no reason why he should keep telling me what 'I should've done' and what 'would've been cheaper'.

A few days ago when my DH was coming home from work at about 9pm, exhausted, the neighbour started to ask him things like "did you leave garbage outside of your flat door for a few days? Because it smells like trash out here". DH said no and shut the door in his face. Why would we leave garbage outside of our flat when there's a bin downstairs? 

Thankfully next week I'm going to visit my family in the US so at least he won't be bothering me for a few weeks. He doesn't really bother dh and dh is certainly not scared of him or anything just annoyed generally. Then when I come back, our contract is nearly over so we can move.

First off congrats on graduation.
 I would call my insurance company and ask what is the liability of this guy having the master  key to do "inspections" when he is not employed and insured by the management company. I'm pretty sure he's not insured so I would send a certified letter that he's not insured so you don't want him in your house and if they want to do an inspection get someone who is.

First off congrats on graduation.
 I would call my insurance company and ask what is the liability of this guy having the master  key to do "inspections" when he is not employed and insured by the management company. I'm pretty sure he's not insured so I would send a certified letter that he's not insured so you don't want him in your house and if they want to do an inspection get someone who is.

thanks!

Yep, we've sent a similar letter saying that we want someone properly employed with them to do the inspection. Heard nothing back from them so I'm going to assume they don't want to do an inspection any more. I think I prefer that! 

Just an update and mostly a rant because I'm angry and need to get this out.

Creepy neighbour stalked me out today when I was heading downstairs to pick up a takeaway delivery. He started to talk about the closing inspection that we have to do upon leaving the property and he was trying to force himself in to do a pre-inspection. I stood firm and assertive (very hard for me to do) and told him that I don't want him in there and that the flat is fine, tidy, and everything's in good order. I also told him that I've read the lease over and it just says that everything needs to be tidy and that I've called shelter and they claim the property needs to be in the same condition as it was initially. My heart was racing and I was incredibly scared (I was alone waiting for DH to get home from work). He kind of shut up about things when I started to sound more knowledgeable. Then I was like 'ok I have to go, bye' and he just wouldn't leave me alone. Started talking about how awesome these flats are and all sorts of random crap like that he works hard on sundays to keep the building clean blah blah blah. So I shut the door in his face and locked it. I was so fuming. I was hungry and I exercised all day so I can enjoy my damn takeaway without too much guilt. I got so much adrenaline from shutting the door in his face, it was great!

On the other hand, I got an email from the agency that says creepy neighbour will be the one to do the exit inspection and that no one else can do it . I'm going to have my in-laws with me on the day. My FIL is very outspoken so hopefully creeper will make it quick and be intimidated.

Sorry for the rant but I feel kind of proud of myself today. 

Well done Gibby! You should most certainly be proud of yourself!   

Well done Gibby! You should most certainly be proud of yourself!   

Thanks NoseOverTail!

Wow... just read through this thread for the first time. So glad you're moving. That guy is seriously creepy. And, that's awful that they won't send someone else to do the inspection when you've clearly stated that you are uncomfortable with him. I hope your new place is much much better!