Someone coming in my apartment....???

Question

I honestly think someone is coming in my apartment. It started with lights being on when I got hom that weren't on (sometimes I didn't even touch) when I left for work. Things would be not be where I left them. At first I thought I was just paranoid cause the main lamp that comes on is a touch lamp and my parents have one that randomly comes on too. The kicker for me was when my boyfriend took a shower he hung the towel on the rack the next morning it was still there but when I got home it wasn't. My boyfriend & I had both been at work so I knew neither one of us had moved it. That was a few weeks ago I have cleaned my entire house done laudry a few times since & that towel is no where in my apartment now. The other day I noticed that my shower head had be moved all the way up & water was getting out of the bath tub (this has happened twice) I am short (5' 1") so I have it lower down plus I don't like water getting out of the bath tub. If someone is taking a shower that would explain why the towel was take (that is just an odd thing to take!)

I was talking to my boyfriend about this & he suggested putting up a camcorder for a week or 2 & see if we catch anyone coming in my apartment. Where would be the best place to put the camera? What is the proper way to go about it IF I actually catch someone in my apartment??

Answer 1

omg thts like reallly freaky but the idea about the camcorder is really good you should go ahead and do this right away and make sure you can't notice them

Answer 2

On Oprah yesterday, there was a woman who had the same concerns you did.  She set up a hidden camera (in the living room facing the front door) and caught a man on tape coming in, putting on her lingerie, and masturbating.  So yes, I think a "nanny cam" (one near the front door and one in the bathroom) would be a great idea.  If you catch someone in your apartment, then show the recording to the police.

You're correct to follow your intuition.  The Oprah show yesterday was all about listening to that "inner voice" that is telling you something's wrong.

Answer 3

Depending upon where you can place the camera, I might suggest either a lipstick camera that can be mounted somewhere and be inconspicuous or if you have a closet somewhere, a regular mini-cam.  Lipstick cameras run about $100 and up.

If you catch someone, you have two options.  You could approach the person yourself, show him/her the evidence and tell them to stay away or you can just go to the police with the tape and swear out a warrant for illegal entering.

Check the door latch/lock area for damage (scratches, etc.) to see if you can figure out if the person is trying to jimmy the lock (that makes it breaking and entering).  If there seems to be no damage, it may be someone with a pass key (landlord, maintenance or a friend of theirs).  If it is the landlord, check your lease to see what his entering rights are (you should be given notice before anyone enters).  If there is no notice required, check to see what he can enter for (it should be maintenance and repairs only) and then try to film him from a different spot (bathroom, etc.) to show his is over stepping the lease.

Answer 4

Sweety, I live in in one of the boroughs of NYC, so I know what its like to be protective.   Here's the first thing, usually in apartments, Landlords don't like for you to change locks, do it anyway.   It's your safety.   You never know, your landlord could be coming in, the tenants prior to you or anyone else.  Change those locks and DONT give your landlord a copy of the key.    Search online for Tenant laws in your state or county.  (If he mentions something about you changing them, then you know it was a possibility it was him/her who entered).

Get security signs posted.  Post them on your windows, and post them on your doors.  Even if you dont have a fancy security system, the sign is posted and this will deter them from coming in...if indeed thats whats happening.  Also, look into installing a camera in the apartment and directly outside.    I suggest you go to a Radio Shack or something so you can ask questions.  I made the mistake of purchasing one online, it was wireless and was great because I didnt have to worry about wires, but little did I know that cordless phones and my wireless interent connection interfered with the system, giving me a jumpy image.

One last tip, thoroughly search your apartment for hidden cameras...you never know if someone is trying to watch you.  Also, if you truly suspect something, go to your local Police Department, and tell them what's been going on, they can probably send a unit out to your house to get dusted for fingerprints, so the next time you find something a little out of order, just make sure not to touch too many things, as you wouldnt want to remove what ever evidence they might have left behind.

Good Luck.

EDIT:  By they way, in NYC, if Landlords request a copy of the keys, we are required to give it to them...however, I never do, Landlords are people, and people are capable of bad things.   My landlord never bugged us for anything, if something needs fixing he calls the night before and I try to make arrangments for him to come when someone is home.   If they tell you its for emergencies...call the cops is what I say.   Never give a copy of your keys to anyone.  NEVER.  If your landlord has an issue with it and makes your life a living h**l, its for a reason and you should look into moving out.

Oh yeah, and lock the windows...of if you want air to come in, lower the top window instead of the bottom one.  Also, at my home, we once in awhile leave the blinds open, this way no one knows when we are or arent home...we also leave the TV or radio on from time to time. Also, sometimes I park in front the house, other times I park a block or two away, it's good to walk, and no one sees my car...which is good.  Be unpredictable...its very easy for someone to get to know your routine.

If you get a camera, place in where you can get the most views, for example, you might want to camera to face the main entrance, or the main windows of your apartment.

Answer 5

Wow, that is scary to think someoen is entering your home when you aren't there.  Get your dad or boyfirend someeon like that to install a hidden camera pointing at the entrance to your appartment,  Definately one in the bathroom and then one that can watch the main living areas.  Then if  you catch someone, go directly to the police station with the tapes.  

Answer 6

put up 2-3 and hide them.  

also, offer to pay the landlord for a new set of keys--or

get the unit re-keyed at your expense and get him a set

of keys.

IF you find someone entering, inform the police immediately.

[you might have a klepto manager]

Answer 7

I was watching Oprah yesterday and the episode was about listening to your inner voice and they had people who suspected there home was being trespassed and it was . There was a proffesional on there and said most of the time your correct when you get that feeling something is not quite right in anything in your life.

def trust yourself and do some detective work ; )

the only thing you can charge them with is trespassing unless you catch them on tape stealing then you can get them for burglary.

Answer 8

Change the locks, you can always sort it out with your landlord later, but say nothing to begin with.