BethM
Well-Known Member
In my apartment, they are allowed to evict someone for not keeping their apartment clean. But they are specific that they don't care about clutter, just cleanliness. The reason they give for that is insect or rodent attraction, which could potentially cost them a lot of money to correct.
I used to keep a small outdoor trash bin on my deck, for when I cleaned litter boxes. Then, we got a note on our door that we had to remove all trash receptacles, as trash could attract insects. They didn't care that it was for litter, they just wanted it off the deck. So now we keep it in the bathtub in the spare bathroom.
I think the landlord/handyman did violate your lease agreement, by not notifying you 24 hours ahead of time before entering. Although, at my apartment, they just put a flyer up by my mailbox indicating that they will be entering the apartments for maintenance (change filters or test smoke detectors, etc.) and they give a 6-week window, and the maintenance can occur at any time. Also, if I were to report an issue or needed repair, once they record my request, they have the right to enter my apartment at any time to do the repair. That's just how my lease is written.
I will say, that when I see one of those flyers go up about regular maintenance, I make an extra effort to keep things tidy. For example, I don't always vacuum as often as I should, so sometimes there is a lot of stray hay and some poops in the living room near the pen. But until I know the work has been completed, I will vacuum every couple days. I don't think it's any sort of health violation or problem, but it looks bad to someone who doesn't live there.
It may be true that I shouldn't have to do that. But I would rather do that than have to deal with the landlord hassling me, and face possible eviction.
From your pictures, it mostly looks like clutter to me, which they really have no business complaining about.
A couple things I would suggest that if you know the handyman is going to be in (which you should be notified of), make sure you keep the dishes clean and the sink and counters clear. (My leasing agent said if they suspect an apartment is "unclean," they usually look at the kitchen. Dirty dishes, food splatters on the stove, etc. could potentially attract insects. (I'm not saying your place is that bad, please don't take it the wrong way. It's just that that's one thing they might look specifically at.) I would also second the suggestions about making sure the carpet is protected from urine, and make sure it's obvious.
I used to keep a small outdoor trash bin on my deck, for when I cleaned litter boxes. Then, we got a note on our door that we had to remove all trash receptacles, as trash could attract insects. They didn't care that it was for litter, they just wanted it off the deck. So now we keep it in the bathtub in the spare bathroom.
I think the landlord/handyman did violate your lease agreement, by not notifying you 24 hours ahead of time before entering. Although, at my apartment, they just put a flyer up by my mailbox indicating that they will be entering the apartments for maintenance (change filters or test smoke detectors, etc.) and they give a 6-week window, and the maintenance can occur at any time. Also, if I were to report an issue or needed repair, once they record my request, they have the right to enter my apartment at any time to do the repair. That's just how my lease is written.
I will say, that when I see one of those flyers go up about regular maintenance, I make an extra effort to keep things tidy. For example, I don't always vacuum as often as I should, so sometimes there is a lot of stray hay and some poops in the living room near the pen. But until I know the work has been completed, I will vacuum every couple days. I don't think it's any sort of health violation or problem, but it looks bad to someone who doesn't live there.
It may be true that I shouldn't have to do that. But I would rather do that than have to deal with the landlord hassling me, and face possible eviction.
From your pictures, it mostly looks like clutter to me, which they really have no business complaining about.
A couple things I would suggest that if you know the handyman is going to be in (which you should be notified of), make sure you keep the dishes clean and the sink and counters clear. (My leasing agent said if they suspect an apartment is "unclean," they usually look at the kitchen. Dirty dishes, food splatters on the stove, etc. could potentially attract insects. (I'm not saying your place is that bad, please don't take it the wrong way. It's just that that's one thing they might look specifically at.) I would also second the suggestions about making sure the carpet is protected from urine, and make sure it's obvious.
