Do perfect renters have any privacy rights in TN?

Question

Our landlord is out back, near all my windows EVERY DAY. We pay the rent every month, always on the 1st, and behave perfectly, take extreme care of the inside and outside of the property, have virtually no visitors, are very quiet, and even put about 1500 of our own money and labor too of fixing the place up, with total permission. HE WON'T LEAVE. He's not a perve, but he uses our home as his getaway from his home for his hobbies and something to do. I NEED to be able to get out and have privacy. I just have anxiety disorder, and am naturally quiet; not an anti social weirdo. PLEASE HELP!

Answer 1

He's a complete nut. I'm sorry but you need to move, I'm sure you can find something. Why do you want to live alone with kids in the middle of nowhere? You need to be near civilization, anyway. Or even if you don't, maybe your kids do?

Answer 2

Check your lease to see if you have a clause in there that addresses your right to "quiet enjoyment" of the property.  Typically, if this is present, the landlord may still have the right to "inspect" the property at reasonable intervals, but does NOT have the right to total invasion of your privacy.  As with any conflict, you definitely want to try to resolve things without going to the extent and expense of legal enforcement on issues like this (particularly when you need to keep a good relationship with this person in the future).  But if you do have that type of clause in your agreement with him, it may be effective if you find a nice way to point out to your pesky landlord that you do know your rights and remind him that he is violating them on a daily basis.  It sounds as if you are dealing with a rather difficult personality and you are uncomfortable addressing him directly, so perhaps a carefully worded letter may be more effective method of communication.  Putting things in writing also helps you substantiate your case if it does escalate to a higher level.  

Answer 3

He shouldn't be coming INSIDE the home...that is a sign of a perv, and I would tell him it makes you uncomfortable.

Get some blinds, put them up on all the windows, keep them closed.

What you can't see won't bother you.

Answer 4

I would take your rental agreement to a lawyer and ask them what you could do. I sure wouldn't want to live like that. In the mean time I would start looking for another place to live. The guy might be some kind of perv, he's at least a weirdo and you shouldn't have your kids anywhere near him! I don't think you should have to put up with that in any way, shape or form. Good Luck & stay safe!

Answer 5

.  I rented a house in Hawaii and had the exact problem. THe landlady was retired and had nothing better to do than to "drop by" 7 days a week.  She would try to be nice and make conversation, but i was 23 years old and had nothing to say to her.  And i had not invited her over.  I thought i had rented a private house. When she was ready to leave, she would mention "Don't forget to take the trash out" which made me mad. I take the trash out.  

Anyway, some people should not be landlords.  If you had it all to do over, you would have written that no one including him could drop by and visit or use the yard or pick up something from the garage.  But you could not have known.  

You have to leave when your lease is up.  If you try to talk to him, he won't have any idea what you are talking about.  He thinks everyone in the world would love for him to stop by.  

Answer 6

I can't use it for my expensive car.  If your car is so expensive you should be buying a home and not renting.