This letter was to the Editor:

"What are my rights?"

March 27, 2008

Dear Sir,

Do tenants have any rights?

I rent a basement apartment for $1,750 a month in Smiths, and have a problematic landlord.

The reason I am writing this letter, is that I hope it will give other expats food for thought and the initiative to take the appropriate action that I (as a single woman) failed to take. In short, I have a landlord who totally disregards the normal landlord/tenant relationship that one would expect.

At the heart of my problem is that he enters my apartment when I am at work, without notification and without any consent. As a single girl living alone, this behaviour is (at best) unnerving and (at worst) very worrying. I have all sorts of images going through my mind as to what he is doing in there.

When I challenge him, he tells me lies such as the water pump was running – which it wasn't. He tells me that fans are on – when they are not.

Up until recently, I had no problem with him coming in to the apartment while I was there. Lately, however, that has changed with his recent attempt at groping me. I should have called the police, but where is the evidence?

When caught out, he throws his hands in the air and shouts at me. He intimidates my friends who visit, telling them to move their car as he cannot get out. When we move the car, he then drives around the block and returns. A journey of some 50 seconds in total.

Most recently, I have left my webcam running in an attempt to prove that he is in my apartment during the day. He was incredibly annoyed at being caught out. He has threatened me with "Magistrates' Court" and – as a last straw – is now refusing to refund my deposit as (in his opinion) the apartment is not what it was four years ago when I first took it. The loss of the deposit is a small price to pay to get away from this man.

I leave Bermuda this weekend – sadly – but, nonetheless, so happy to be away from this bully. Expats – beware; and beware of basement apartments in Smiths.

CONCERNED EXPAT

Smith's"

Dear CONCERNED EXPAT,

Please copy this to the landlord you speak of.

Dear Sir,

It has been brought to the Internet's Attention that you have refused to return the deposit of your former client.
We the Internet also understand that there is a video-tape of you entering said client's apartment whilst she was away. In this day and age you may be well aware of the ramifications of video tapes making it online. If the video is totally harmless, in other words just showing yourself, or someone you sent into the apartment simply going about doing routine chores or inspections then there is likely going to be no concern. However if it turns out that the video shows yourself or someone you sent into the aprtmant "snooping" through your clients belongings I imagine there could be some serious repurcussions for you.

We the Internet would recommend that you quickly deal with handling your client's complaints and either re-imburse the deposit, unless you have verifiable proof that you have reason to keep it, or understand that we the Internet will likely keep badgering your client to put her video-tape up on the internet for all to see.

Kindly Yours.
The Internet.

.... what's new.

Hello, Bigger Picture here... couldn't give a toss about the deposit. In fact I'd be willing to re-imburse the young lady in return for her tape. If this guy's been up what she claims and the tape is proof of it then I'd be more than happy to put it up on YouTube. Mind you Piglet, I'd probably send you a copy in advance just for your opinion.

I think the lesson that people need to understand is pretty simple. Stay out of other people's belongings... even if you own the house be careful how you run your business. Otherwise you might find yourself on the World Wide Web. Now smile for the camera...