Protecting my privacy in a shared apartment?

Question

So i just moved in and this afternoon, i heard a knock on the door and the guy in the bedroom next door enters. He sees me and goes 'oh, i didn't know you were here' and said he wanted to look at my room. I was a bit taken aback.

Anyway, so since I can't modify the doors, is there a way I can lock it or at least set up some kind of device/trap so i know if someone entered my room when i am away?

Answer 1

buy a safe or you can by a camera to watch your room while you are away

Answer 2

I would say that firstly you need to get a lockable safe for your valuables, you can get these for less than $100 and they are a fair;y decent size. Hide it under your bed or in a closet so that there is less temptation as well.

Also make sure you put passwords etc on your computer so that they don't go snooping around on it.

Then the only thing I can think of (if possible) is to change the door handles to the lockable types like on dront doors. They only cost about $10 and you don't need to damage or alter the door, you just replace the existing one.

Answer 3

YES, you can modify your door!   get a locking door k**b is all it takes!    ask your apt. manager & make it KNOWN, it's not free entry, you should have discusssed this with your roommates, that no one is allowed to enter........  

Answer 4

I think the suggestions above are great.  I would suggest that you check your lease about changing the doorknob.  Usually this is not a problem, but just remember that you may be required to give a copy of the key to your landlord.  They need this in the event that there was an emergency and you were not able to be home.  Of course the landlord would not and should not unlock your door to allow access for anyone else in the apartment.  Just tell the landlord your situation and concerns for privacy when you forward a copy of the key.  I did this and my landlord handled the situation well.  Nanny cams are a great suggestion, especially if you suspect that your roommates know how to pick locks (but I doubt that).  A cheap suggestion is that after you leave your bedroom and close the door, you can put a small piece of tape in the corner of the door frame and have it stick to the frame and the door.  If your door is opened, the seal between the door and frame will be broken.  It may seem a little paranoid driven, but its cheap and will let you know if someone's been in there.

Answer 5

I ran into this situation in college when I lived in a three bedroom apartment.  I changed the door k***s to k***s that had a key lock.  When I moved out, I put the original door k***s back on.  I didn't lose my security deposit either.

Answer 6

block the door with some heavy furniture

or rig something up that will shoot a dart at him filled with tranquilizers so he will fall asleep if he enters your house and you will find him when you get home.  then you can capture him.

Answer 7

Some sort of CCTV camera above your door. That usually puts people off, but if anyone does enter your room, you'll see who it is.

If that fails speak to him and ask him to respect your privacy, and see how he likes it if you were to go into his room.

x

Answer 8

Start with this kind of stuff.