Friend's apartment has been robbed twice, told her I'd ask advice on here
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Anonymous
| My friend has been in his apartment for the last 5 years and has been robbed twice in the past 4 months. They have a strong reason to suspect a certain person, but the cops are basically doing nothing about it. Friend's landlord refuses to let them put in a security system, add additional locks on the doors, or even put up motion detector lights/cameras. They resigned their lease about 1 month before the first break in. Landlord says if they choose to move out, they have to pay the penalty (1 months rent) and if he doesn't find someone quickly, he'll take them to court. Yeah, turns out their landlord is a jerk. Anyways, I told my friend I'd post here to see if anyone had advice. She's tried looking online but hasn't been successful. |
Anonymous
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In what jurisdiction is the apartment?
Not relevant to this area, but something very similar happened to a friend of mine in Oakland. She was able to get her landlord to install security bars on the windows and some other security measures as well. And she had renters' insurance, at least for the second break-in. |
Anonymous
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What about a wireless security system that does not require drilling and installer, like SimpliSafe?
The system uses double-sided tape and can be easily taking off if the landlord has a fit. Plus she can set as silent alert to her phone and the monitoring center, so the jerk won't even know she has one. |
Anonymous
| move already! who cares about a month rent?! |
Anonymous
+100 |
Anonymous
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Landlord is probably behind it.
Anyway....a month's rent ... it may mean a lot to them financially...but how much is it costing to have constant break-ins. The PERSONAL, BODILY safety concerns would be enough to make me move. Tell the landlord he'll see him in court. |
Anonymous
| Why would you ask a bunch of parents for advice about this situation? How weird. |
Anonymous
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The law on whether the insecurity of the apartment is grounds to break a lease (without penalty) will likely vary from state to state, and maybe between cities within the state. She could research this, call an attorney, or maybe attend a free tenant's legal clinic in her area.
I would also advise your friend to get renter's insurance if she plans to stay, because it only costs maybe $10/mo and will cover replacement of her stuff. Also, there is a free service called Prey Project where you download a program onto your computer/iPad/smart phone and it will track the item and, if it has a camera, take pictures of the user IF you direct it to. Google it, it's easy to use and might help catch the burglar next time. |
Anonymous
You realize parents are, usually, adults that have experience in other areas of life besides just raising children, right? |
Anonymous
Of course, but it just seems really weird that your first thought while talking to a friend who had been burgled twice was "Gee, I wonder what DCUM has to say about this!?!" |
Anonymous
It seems really weird that you took the time out your schedule to insult someone for asking advice from a group of adults conversing in a real estate forum 
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Anonymous
No, at least my comment was germane. |
Anonymous
Shoo, go away.... OP, I would go ahead and break the lease. The likelihood of him taking you to court his none, especially if he knows he's the one breaking in. Your sanity is worth much more than one month rent. If he does take you to court, you can at least dispute that he didn't give you the option to make your place more secure. |
Anonymous
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OP here. I'm a parent myself who has received some great advice on this board regarding my pregnancy/newborn, which is why I offered to post the question here. I figured some people would have advice or had been through something similar. She has already looked online but has mostly been looking at the laws regarding what her landlord has said. Plus, since it isn't ONLY parenting issues posted here, I figured it was ok. Oh and I'm 29 and have no experience with this type of stuff. My friend is 27.
Anyways, she lives in DC. While one month's rent wouldn't be awful, it would be a significant amount of money, especially if she has to find a new apartment and put down a chunk of money on that. Plus, the fact that her landlord has threatened her with court is making her think twice. Based on what she's told me about the break in and what has been stolen, it seems like it is a friend of hers who she's recently had a falling out with. She'd rather just try to get some security measures in vs going through the trouble of finding a new place. I'll tell her to check out the wireless security system. Seems perfect for what she needs. Thanks for those that provided helpful advice. |
Anonymous
| Op, there are all kinds of wireless security systems and camera's. I would personally move as they are very expensive and will cost the same as a move. I'd tell the landlord to sue me as two break-ins and a refusal to beef up security is not reasonable. |