Landlord Harassment Legal Options

Summary

Landlord harassment can violate your right to peaceful enjoyment and privacy. Colorado law requires landlords to provide reasonable notice before entering a rental property. Document all communications and consider filing a police report for harassment. Consult a tenant rights attorney to explore legal actions, such as filing harassment charges or seeking compensation for distress. Resources like Colorado Legal Services can assist low-income individuals. Taking these steps can help protect your rights and potentially lead to legal protection and compensation.

Full Conversation

Jamie
Hi Jamie! Could you please provide more details about your legal issue? This will help me give you the most relevant information.
message: Good morning Michael, My name is Brian Williams, and I reside at * W 59th Dr, Golden, CO *. I am an electrician by trade, working hard to provide for my family. The issue concerns our landlord, Kris Presson, who resides in Louisiana. We’ve been renting this home from him since October *, have never been late on rent, and have maintained consistent communication for repairs and other matters. We even signed a new lease just a few weeks ago. However on December 20th the weekend before Christmas, Kris contacted us unexpectedly, stating that he plans to visit Colorado over the holidays and wants to access a secure storage area in the home, as well as conduct a routine inspection. This is unprecedented, as he has never requested access to this area in the years we’ve lived here, and we’ve never even met him in person. I explained to him that it’s Christmas, we have family visiting, and my wife’s mother is unwell—this may very well be her last holiday with us. I respectfully asked him to delay this visit until after the holidays. Despite this, he has continued to send us harassing texts, even christmas morning, disregarding our requests for space and time to enjoy the holiday with our loved ones. This constant barrage of messages has left us feeling harassed, disrespected, and deeply upset. We are confused about the urgency of this situation, especially since the storage area has been locked and untouched for over 12 years. Why must he suddenly access it now, during the holidays, and at the cost of our peace? Additionally, he has escalated this by posting a notice on our door, visible to neighbors, making it appear as though we’re being evicted. This behavior has left us anxious and scared, and it feels like an invasion of our right to peaceful enjoyment of our home. At that point, I wanted to deny him entry entirely due to his behavior. However he proceeded to have * police officers and three men unfamiliar to me along with a locksmith. I was at work and my wife was asleep downstairs. The had the locksmith pick the locks and enter the home and then enter the storage area change all the locks on the front and back door. They also installed two cameras in his locked off areas without our knowleadge of sound or presence I have not given them permission and even with him posting an entry notice I wanted to first talk to a lawyer about this harassment issue. Mind you I have all his correspondence documented along with video footage of them breaking in and changing the locks. I am prepared to take further action if necessary. I humbly ask for your guidance on how to proceed. Can we file harassment charges or take legal steps to protect ourselves from further intrusion? I would greatly appreciate it if you could contact me at your earliest convenience—either today, if possible. My number is (*) *-*. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to talking to you soon. Best regards,
Brian Williams Brian
Hi Brian,
Your landlord's actions can be considered harassment and a breach of your right to peaceful enjoyment. You may have grounds for legal action.
- Colorado law requires landlords to provide reasonable notice before entering a rental property, typically * hours.
- Harassment: Persistent, unreasonable communication and threats.
- Illegal Entry: Landlord must have a legitimate reason and give proper notice.
- Right to Privacy: Unwarranted surveillance and entry breach your privacy.
You should:
*. Document all communication.
*. File a police report for harassment.
*. Consult a local attorney specializing in tenant rights.
Would you like help finding a tenant rights attorney in Golden, CO?
Yes. Help us find a low income lawyer
Sure, Brian. Here are some resources for low-income legal assistance in Colorado:

Colorado Legal Services


Phone: (*) *-*
Website: www.coloradolegalservices.org

You may also want to contact the Colorado Bar Association for additional resources. Would you like more information on how to file a police report for harassment?
If we do everything you are telling us to do, what is the end result.. what are we going to gain out of it?
Following the steps I mentioned can help you achieve the following:
- Harassment Charges: Potentially file harassment charges against your landlord.
- Legal Protection: Obtain legal protection against further intrusions.
- Peaceful Enjoyment: Reinstate your right to peaceful enjoyment of your home.
- Compensation: Possible compensation for any distress or damages caused.
Would you like more details on how to file a police report for harassment?
Yes
Filing a police report for harassment involves the following steps:
*. Gather Evidence: Collect all communication, notices, and video footage.
*. Visit the Police Station: Go to your local police station.
*. File the Report: Provide all the evidence and detail the incidents.
*. Follow Up: Obtain a copy of the report and stay in touch with the investigating officer.
Would you like more details on how to present your evidence to the police?
Yes
To present your evidence to the police:
*. Organize Documents: Arrange all correspondence, notices, and any other written communication chronologically.
*. Video Footage: Save all video evidence on a portable device (e.g., USB drive).
*. Detail Incidents: Write a detailed account of each harassment incident.
*. Present Evidence: Take all the organized documents and video footage to the police station.
Would you like more information on legal steps after filing the police report?
Yes
After filing the police report, you can take the following legal steps:
*. Consult with an Attorney: Discuss your case with a tenant rights attorney for personalized legal advice.
*. File for a Restraining Order: Prevent the landlord from contacting or approaching you.
*. Civil Lawsuit: Consider suing for damages due to harassment and breach of lease.
Would you like information on how to file for a restraining order?
No
Brian, it seems you have a strong case, given the evidence and documented harassment.
- Consult with a tenant rights attorney for personalized advice on pursuing legal action.
- Filing a police report and consulting an attorney will likely help you gain protection and possibly compensation.
Would you like more resources for tenant rights attorneys?