Can they do this?

[KS Renter]

What is the name of your state? Kansas

My husband and I were a few days late on rent this month. We took in a check, but it was refused because they will not take anything but money orders after the due date. The assistant manager told us to go and get a money order and drop it into the night deposit box, since they were about to close for the evening. We said okay and left. When we came back there was a red 8x11 piece of paper taped to our door. It was opened and taped on all four sides so that we (and the rest of our apartment community) could read the message in big font "You must pay rent to live here! Pay or move now!!!". That was all it said. Now, if we hadn't brought payment in that day, I could see a need for a 'notice to pay or quit', but they knew we were going to be putting it in the night drop when we returned. Even though we did pay the rent that night anyway, I was so embarrassed that I was completely tempted to pack the family up and leave right then and there, but I did not want to be stuck with a $1,290 fee for breaking the lease. My questions are A) can they publicly humiliate us like that? Aren't we entitled to some privacy? Shouldn't they have at least folded the paper so passerbys couldn't read it? B) If this was a 'notice to pay or quit' aren't they required to state other things on it, like a total amount due or date that they plan to file for eviction?

Thanks in advance!What is the name of your state?

 

[Ohiogal]

They are entitled to do that> it may not have been an official notice to pay or quit but it worked. You were at fault for being late on the rent. While it was not nice I see nothing illegal in what they did.

 

[KS Renter]

Actually it did not 'work', it almost had the complete OPPOSITE effect. As I said before we had already taken in a check that day, they knew they were getting their money. We did not pay because they put the sign up, we paid because we got the money that day, so nothing 'worked'.

 

[moburkes]

Whatever their point, and whatever your take, if you had LEFT, you would have been responsible for the remaining payments left on your lease, until they rerented your unit. What they did was not illegal.

 

[fairisfair]

Actually it did not 'work', it almost had the complete OPPOSITE effect. As I said before we had already taken in a check that day, they knew they were getting their money. We did not pay because they put the sign up, we paid because we got the money that day, so nothing 'worked'.

wonder how many people say they are going to deposit the money that night and never do. If you had not been late, you would not have had your door flagged. So now you are the injured party for paying your rent late?? Give me a break.

 

[IndianaOwner]

Yes, they can do that. Your embarassment and humiliation will get you $1 at most. Best to just have a thick skin about this and the neighbors know you didn't move so they know you must have paid.... The landlord is an arse for doing that but you were not damaged really.