Landlord Keeps Entering Apartment Pretending To Fix Things And Covering Cameras, Tenant Calls Cops
Interview
Finding the right rental is like winning a lottery—it might take quite a few tries before you hit the jackpot. But sometimes it’s the proprietor, not the property that’s far from prize-like.
The TikToker ‘sarkero’ has seemingly had her fair share of dealing with troublesome homeowners. The woman’s videos of her landlord’s weird behavior caused quite a buzz online and got the netizens invested, some encouraging her to move out immediately.
Bored Panda has reached out to the OP and she was kind enough to answer a few of our questions. You will find her thoughts in the text below.
Knowing the tenant’s rights and responsibilities might come in handy when dealing with irrational landlords
Image credits: PhotoMIX Company (not the actual photo)
This woman documented her landlord’s unusual behavior and went viral when TikTokers got invested in the story
Image credits: sarkero
The OP repeatedly saw the landlord in the property without permission through her cameras
Image credits: sarkero
Image credits: sarkero
Image credits: sarkero
Image credits: sarkero
She claimed the proprietor deliberately covered the cameras inside the house
Image credits: sarkero
@sarkero #ringcamera #landlordabusevideo #harassmentawareness #stalker ♬ original sound – Willow the WiLd Whoodle!
The woman eventually called the police
Image credits: sarkero
On her video she wrote: “Officers responded to my call and delayed entry while landlord, attorney Brian Ledebuhr was in my apartment again, purposely blocked and turned my cameras around. Brian and his attorney wife Meghan Ledebuhr have been threatening and harassing me. [One] officer kept hiding his name badge and was siding with Brian because he said he’s a landlord too. Officers said they can’t touch my cameras. But said landlord can do what he wants.”
Image credits: sarkero
Image credits: sarkero
She didn’t receive much help from the officers
Image credits: sarkero
Image credits: sarkero
Image credits: sarkero
Image credits: sarkero
Image credits: sarkero
Her TikTok videos blew up on the internet, one reaching over 20 million views
@sarkero #landlordsfromhell keeps entering my apartment whenever he wants. Friends and family say he’s pretending to fix things. Always in my bedroom and bathroom. Police here because he blocked all my inside cameras. #policeoftiktok #landlordabusevideo ♬ original sound – Willow the WiLd Whoodle!
@sarkero I thought the police were coming back upstairs to speak with me. Listen to what the landlord says at the very beginning…#landlordabusevideo #landlordsfromhell #harassment #ringcamera #willowthewildwhoodle ♬ original sound – Willow the WiLd Whoodle!
After the police left, the landlord continued to visit the rental without permission
Image credits: sarkero
The landlord didn’t want to fix things in the apartment but he would be happy to spend time there
The OP, Sara, told Bored Panda that the landlord wasn’t too happy when things needed fixing in the apartment, and there were many. He did, however, offer to install the wall air conditioner unit the redditor purchased when she moved in, fearing that she would damage the window frame if she did it herself.
“I was very surprised there weren’t air conditioners in there to begin with,” Sara said. “There were none. That’s why it’s interesting that he would be in my apartment at his leisure, using my electricity and turning on the air conditioners. I think he was trying to run up my electricity bill.
“In hindsight, this may have been when he was allegedly installing his own cameras like a lot of individuals suggested and pointed out via TikTok. I wasn’t home the day he offered to install the wall air conditioner unit for me,” the woman added.
She revealed that the landlord would get angry if anything was mentioned about the apartment and he would spend time sitting in his backyard stalking her. “He lived in a very nice home right next door; I always felt like I was being watched. It seemed like he wanted to keep me in an oppressed situation. Even the cameras on his home were later discovered to be pointing to all of my entry and exit points, including my car in the driveway,” Sara shared.
The tenant said she decided to share the videos on TikTok for awareness and evidence. “No arrest has been made that I’m aware of, but in Illinois, tampering with security cameras is a felony. Stalking, harassing, intimidating, illegal eviction tactics, installing spyware and accessing Ring cameras are also illegal.”
The TikToker told Bored Panda that the list goes on, adding that the attorney landlord couple should be ashamed of their actions and for thinking that nobody deserves a safe space besides them. “It just makes me sick; and a lot of TikTokers, too,” she shared, pointing out that the TikTok responses have been amazing. “I love this community of smart individuals with similar and different perspectives; wonderful advice from many.”
The well-being of a large portion of society lies in the hands of landlords
The OP’s videos show that even if the property feels like a great fit, the owner might not be; and, unfortunately, the TikToker is far from the only tenant facing landlord-related troubles. Statistics show that in England, for example, nearly half of renters (45%) have encountered problems caused by illegal actions by their landlords. Such statistics are understandably upsetting or even frightening for those looking for a place to rent.
According to Statista, back in 2021, there were nearly 130 million housing units in the US. Roughly 44 million of them were rented, which means the well-being of around a third of households lies in the hands of their landlord. Pew Research Center revealed that most of the single-unit properties that are available for rent are owned by individuals rather than businesses.
Image credits: Ketut Subiyanto (not the actual photo)
Knowing the rights and responsibilities of everyone involved can help avoid any rental-related conflict
Some proprietors can get carried away with their use of power. That’s when knowing your rights comes in handy, and the OP’s situation is great proof of that. Even though some conditions might differ depending on the lease agreement, renter’s rights are pretty universal and should be familiar to anyone who does not own the property they live in. According to Legal Zoom, some of the fundamental ones include the right to fair housing, a habitable home, and your deposit, as well as certain rights regarding eviction.
In addition to that, it is also worth noting that landlords are legally not allowed to take certain actions. Investopedia emphasizes that they can’t enter the property without a notice—something quite a few commenters pointed out under the TikToker’s video,—end the lease not following the protocol, raise the rent unjustifiably, or discriminate against the tenants in any way. If the owner of the property you rent does break any rules, documenting it is a good idea; in case of a conflict between the two parties, you might need all the evidence you can get.
Be that as it may, it’s also important to keep in mind that with rights comes responsibility. Tenants have to hold up their end of the bargain as well. When it comes to their duties, some of the main ones include properly maintaining the rented dwelling, preventing any excessive damage that is not considered normal wear and tear, and reporting any issues in a timely manner.
In a perfect world, there should be no problems as long as both parties respect each other and the terms and conditions of the lease agreement. And even though the OP’s story covers a scenario that’s far from perfect, statistics reveal that more people are happy with their landlords than not. This means that even if it’s as rare as winning the lottery, finding an agreeable landlord is possible after all.
Image credits: Karolina Grabowska (not the actual photo)
People in the comments shared insight and similar stories
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Of COURSE the #ThugsWithBadges side with the landlord. Their entire job is to protect and serve capital, NOT to protect and serve people in the community. (That's not an opinion. That's direct from a SCOTUS ruling.) 1312
I had a landlord that did this. I noticed things moved when I would come home from work. Or my kitten would be scared when she heard steps on the stairway outside my second floor apt. It was second floor of a house. Another guy lived downstairs. So I'd find stuff moved. Draws open. (Ick yeah my underwear moved around). Small things missing. But I knew for sure as one day I WAS home an sitting by the window overlooking the driveway an stairs. When I'm home I would put the chain on. So he comes up the stairs. I hear him at the door. He didn't knock. He used his key an opened it. But the chain stopped him. So he quietly closed it an left. I knew then the times I'd come back an the door wasn't locked was because HE forgot to lock it. An my kitten during this run under the bed as far away as she could. Ok I waited til he left. Called a buddy. Got a new door lock an put it in that day. No keys for him either. When I left I put the old handset on the counter for him to replace. Creap.
How is this even legal? As long as you rent, the landlord can't just walk in any time they want.
it's not legal. Also, it's not legal even if you don't pay rent. A landlord cannot just waltz into a house that is rented without proper notice in advance.
Load More Replies...
The telltale sign of a bad cop is victim blaming. There's a police report in my town of a man having been bit by a off leash dog in front of it's owner. The report blames the victim. Me. The dog bit me.
I once called the cops because my house had been burglarized. They accused me of being on drugs, started searching the house for said drugs, and when I kicked them out, told me they'd be back. They also insinuated that I was a drug dealer. I was terrified that they would plant something to "discover" as "evidence." Thank god that they never returned.
This happened to me!! My door was kicked in and my dog kicked to hell and they brought drug dogs to search the perimeter and did NOTHING
Load More Replies...
Ah lawyer landlords. I've had a couple. And they loooooove saying c**p like "I'm a lawyer - I know the law." They do not love it when you respond with "Then you're familiar with Article 1931 of the Civil Code of Quebec that says you have to give me 24 hours' notice before entering my apartment. what you're doing right now goes against article 1902. Would you prefer this as a registered letter with a copy to the rental board?"
And they don't always know the law. They know their specialty plus whatever they haven't forgotten from a law school class years ago. It's like a pediatrician claiming he could perform brain surgery.
Load More Replies...
Iagree...but more than that? She needs to arm herself and or move. Unfortunately she is in the Chicago area...so arming herself might be hard to do.. where I am is very pro 2nd ammendment...my landlord knows I have a shotgun by my bed and I work off hours...not that they would ever do anything like that.
Load More Replies...
It would cost her relatively little to show some evidence to a lawyer, and have them write a sternly worded letter to her landlord. As a lawyer himself the landlord knows he’s in the wrong, but is relying on his clout to let him get away with it. When he sees that she has a competent lawyer on her side, he’ll likely back off immediately.
I would never intrude. It may be my building but it is the tenants’s home
Exactly. Landlords and landladies are subject to quite stringent rules and regulations where I live and the basis for those rules and regulations were people like OP's landlord.
Load More Replies...
Wtf? Cops don’t understand how rental property works? While the renter is renting it’s for all intents and purposes their private property. The landord can’t just arbitrarily enter without permission while it’s under renters/lease agreement. I’d sue him. And get tf out of there if possible.
Technically it's a civil issue...not a criminal issue.
Load More Replies... Every rental I have had, it is in the contract that a landlord can only visit with your permission.
Not a landlord but had a maintenance guy who once let himself into my place (without notice, without any call or request for maintenance). He at least called out and when I answered very confused, he said "Ope, sorry. Never mind" and left so fast. Thankfully, he was fired right after that. I was shocked, especially since I had been napping shortly before and am unsure if I would have heard him come in.
What kind of messed up state do you live in? Here in FL, with our "Stand Your Ground" law. You could terminate him if he did that while you are home. I would make sure to pretend to leave but return and wait.
I assumed the lease on a rental house from my sister. 1st, last & deposit had been made, landlord acknowledges this & I signed a new lease. Win/win. So about 3 years later I send him written notice that I will be vacating the premises at the end of the following month, which has already been paid for. He showed up at 10:00 on a Sunday night letting me know he will be showing up with the Sheriff to evict me for non-payment in the morning. I laughed in his face and explained that he had to take me to court in order to evict me and that even IF an eviction was granted I would have a minimum of 3 days to move out before the Sheriff would even show up. So, good luck with that. F*cking moron.
Where on earth does this person live that the landlord even dares to enter her apartment? Where I'm from, the landlord isn't even allowed to have a key to a property they rented out. Entering only after appropriate notice when the tenant is present. And I cannot imagine police being so corrupt that they don't defend the tenant's rights.
Many have keys (although we have changed ours maybe twice). They generally do need keys in case you are out of town and there is a pipe burst or some other emergency that they need to gain access. However if you are home generally laws state they have to give a certain amount of notice, like 48 hours.
Load More Replies...
Gurl F*UCKING SC**W the police get the HELL outa that place, I honestly hate that they're protecting him, this is the craziest thing!
I rented privately and suspected the owner was entering the property when I wasn't there (he lived next door so he could see when I left the unit) I never had actually proof until I'd given notice to leave and he told on himself by mentioning something he couldn't have known if he hadn't gone in to the property at that particular time.
You seriously thought cops would help you? The vast majority are dumb as bricks thugs who became cops because it's the only way they'll ever have power over people better than them. 9 times out of ten they'll just make things worse.
And OF COURSE the pigs sided with the pervert landlord. Pigs ALWAYS side with Evil!
Funny how the "Cop" illegally blocked his name plate. By law he has to let it be seen. Plus they obviously know the guy and his wife. Get a lawyer and sue the s**t out of all of them. You have all the proof you need especially if he never sent notice. Have a professional come in to scan for cameras other then yours.
F@#$ing LANDLORD and F*#$ing COPS!!! Landlords have to give 24 hour notice to come in! And report the A*$#*&e cops too! Thugswithbadges! That's a good one and so fitting!!!
This scenario doesn't surprise me in the least. My former landlord did almost the same thing: had a realtor in my bedroom taking pictures--without my knowledge or consent. Tried to turn off the water--while I was still residing in the house. Showed up at will to remove his belongings--without giving me 24 hours' notice. Repeatedly. Fortunately, I was working with a legal group that specializes in questionable evictions (yes, he pulled that number too). They put an immediate stop to it. As a result, the scumlord left behind a LOT of items. Most of them have found nice homes.
All states have a Landlord Tenant Act that set the rules and laws that all tenants and landlords must abide by. I urge anyone who plans to rent to become intimately familiar with their states Landlord Tenant Act to know exactly what your rights as a tenant are, I have and it saved my butt several times. Also, make sure to thoroughly read any lease before you sign it. Some landlords will try and put revisions in that are contrary to the Landlord Tenant Act.
Landlord have always had all the rights. Just go to court with a lawyer and just the landlord. The judge side with landlord 100%.
This is why Republicans make s****y landlords. Nobody has rights in their minds. You're just paying them to be treated like a convict. Start shooting at landlords like this.
Of COURSE the #ThugsWithBadges side with the landlord. Their entire job is to protect and serve capital, NOT to protect and serve people in the community. (That's not an opinion. That's direct from a SCOTUS ruling.) 1312
I had a landlord that did this. I noticed things moved when I would come home from work. Or my kitten would be scared when she heard steps on the stairway outside my second floor apt. It was second floor of a house. Another guy lived downstairs. So I'd find stuff moved. Draws open. (Ick yeah my underwear moved around). Small things missing. But I knew for sure as one day I WAS home an sitting by the window overlooking the driveway an stairs. When I'm home I would put the chain on. So he comes up the stairs. I hear him at the door. He didn't knock. He used his key an opened it. But the chain stopped him. So he quietly closed it an left. I knew then the times I'd come back an the door wasn't locked was because HE forgot to lock it. An my kitten during this run under the bed as far away as she could. Ok I waited til he left. Called a buddy. Got a new door lock an put it in that day. No keys for him either. When I left I put the old handset on the counter for him to replace. Creap.
How is this even legal? As long as you rent, the landlord can't just walk in any time they want.
it's not legal. Also, it's not legal even if you don't pay rent. A landlord cannot just waltz into a house that is rented without proper notice in advance.
Load More Replies... The telltale sign of a bad cop is victim blaming. There's a police report in my town of a man having been bit by a off leash dog in front of it's owner. The report blames the victim. Me. The dog bit me.
I once called the cops because my house had been burglarized. They accused me of being on drugs, started searching the house for said drugs, and when I kicked them out, told me they'd be back. They also insinuated that I was a drug dealer. I was terrified that they would plant something to "discover" as "evidence." Thank god that they never returned.
This happened to me!! My door was kicked in and my dog kicked to hell and they brought drug dogs to search the perimeter and did NOTHING
Load More Replies... Ah lawyer landlords. I've had a couple. And they loooooove saying c**p like "I'm a lawyer - I know the law." They do not love it when you respond with "Then you're familiar with Article 1931 of the Civil Code of Quebec that says you have to give me 24 hours' notice before entering my apartment. what you're doing right now goes against article 1902. Would you prefer this as a registered letter with a copy to the rental board?"
And they don't always know the law. They know their specialty plus whatever they haven't forgotten from a law school class years ago. It's like a pediatrician claiming he could perform brain surgery.
Load More Replies... Iagree...but more than that? She needs to arm herself and or move. Unfortunately she is in the Chicago area...so arming herself might be hard to do.. where I am is very pro 2nd ammendment...my landlord knows I have a shotgun by my bed and I work off hours...not that they would ever do anything like that.
Load More Replies... It would cost her relatively little to show some evidence to a lawyer, and have them write a sternly worded letter to her landlord. As a lawyer himself the landlord knows he’s in the wrong, but is relying on his clout to let him get away with it. When he sees that she has a competent lawyer on her side, he’ll likely back off immediately.
I would never intrude. It may be my building but it is the tenants’s home
Exactly. Landlords and landladies are subject to quite stringent rules and regulations where I live and the basis for those rules and regulations were people like OP's landlord.
Load More Replies... Wtf? Cops don’t understand how rental property works? While the renter is renting it’s for all intents and purposes their private property. The landord can’t just arbitrarily enter without permission while it’s under renters/lease agreement. I’d sue him. And get tf out of there if possible.
Technically it's a civil issue...not a criminal issue.
Load More Replies... Every rental I have had, it is in the contract that a landlord can only visit with your permission.
Not a landlord but had a maintenance guy who once let himself into my place (without notice, without any call or request for maintenance). He at least called out and when I answered very confused, he said "Ope, sorry. Never mind" and left so fast. Thankfully, he was fired right after that. I was shocked, especially since I had been napping shortly before and am unsure if I would have heard him come in.
What kind of messed up state do you live in? Here in FL, with our "Stand Your Ground" law. You could terminate him if he did that while you are home. I would make sure to pretend to leave but return and wait.
I assumed the lease on a rental house from my sister. 1st, last & deposit had been made, landlord acknowledges this & I signed a new lease. Win/win. So about 3 years later I send him written notice that I will be vacating the premises at the end of the following month, which has already been paid for. He showed up at 10:00 on a Sunday night letting me know he will be showing up with the Sheriff to evict me for non-payment in the morning. I laughed in his face and explained that he had to take me to court in order to evict me and that even IF an eviction was granted I would have a minimum of 3 days to move out before the Sheriff would even show up. So, good luck with that. F*cking moron.
Where on earth does this person live that the landlord even dares to enter her apartment? Where I'm from, the landlord isn't even allowed to have a key to a property they rented out. Entering only after appropriate notice when the tenant is present. And I cannot imagine police being so corrupt that they don't defend the tenant's rights.
Many have keys (although we have changed ours maybe twice). They generally do need keys in case you are out of town and there is a pipe burst or some other emergency that they need to gain access. However if you are home generally laws state they have to give a certain amount of notice, like 48 hours.
Load More Replies... Gurl F*UCKING SC**W the police get the HELL outa that place, I honestly hate that they're protecting him, this is the craziest thing!
I rented privately and suspected the owner was entering the property when I wasn't there (he lived next door so he could see when I left the unit) I never had actually proof until I'd given notice to leave and he told on himself by mentioning something he couldn't have known if he hadn't gone in to the property at that particular time.
You seriously thought cops would help you? The vast majority are dumb as bricks thugs who became cops because it's the only way they'll ever have power over people better than them. 9 times out of ten they'll just make things worse.
And OF COURSE the pigs sided with the pervert landlord. Pigs ALWAYS side with Evil!
Funny how the "Cop" illegally blocked his name plate. By law he has to let it be seen. Plus they obviously know the guy and his wife. Get a lawyer and sue the s**t out of all of them. You have all the proof you need especially if he never sent notice. Have a professional come in to scan for cameras other then yours.
F@#$ing LANDLORD and F*#$ing COPS!!! Landlords have to give 24 hour notice to come in! And report the A*$#*&e cops too! Thugswithbadges! That's a good one and so fitting!!!
This scenario doesn't surprise me in the least. My former landlord did almost the same thing: had a realtor in my bedroom taking pictures--without my knowledge or consent. Tried to turn off the water--while I was still residing in the house. Showed up at will to remove his belongings--without giving me 24 hours' notice. Repeatedly. Fortunately, I was working with a legal group that specializes in questionable evictions (yes, he pulled that number too). They put an immediate stop to it. As a result, the scumlord left behind a LOT of items. Most of them have found nice homes.
All states have a Landlord Tenant Act that set the rules and laws that all tenants and landlords must abide by. I urge anyone who plans to rent to become intimately familiar with their states Landlord Tenant Act to know exactly what your rights as a tenant are, I have and it saved my butt several times. Also, make sure to thoroughly read any lease before you sign it. Some landlords will try and put revisions in that are contrary to the Landlord Tenant Act.
Landlord have always had all the rights. Just go to court with a lawyer and just the landlord. The judge side with landlord 100%.
This is why Republicans make s****y landlords. Nobody has rights in their minds. You're just paying them to be treated like a convict. Start shooting at landlords like this.
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