Conference misery::feline_v1

    My suggestion is to have your brother there with you tonight, even
    if he has to spend the night.  This guy does sound really weird,
    and I wouldn't want to take a chance of anything happening to you
    or you cat.
    
    The thing that I do at home when my husband isn't home, I have a
    baseball bat behind the door but within reach if anything happens.
    
    Another thing you could do, because your brother sounds like such
    a great guy, have the cat spend about a week over there.  This way
    if they do want to search your apartment the cat isn't there and
    you could sneak her back in.
    
    Also, have them put the kitty litter in bags when you go grocery
    shopping for now on.
    

    I agree with .1- let your cat stay a week w/your brother if possible.
    Also - let your brother come down tonight - sometimes those weird
    guys pick on a woman living alone because the woman is an easy target
    but then they back-off if they think there is a man involved. Also
    while the cat is at  your brother's place, let it be known that
    you had to "give her away" (and when she does come back - keep the
    litter concealed in brown bags).
                                                   
    Also, I read in the "Read Estate" notes file that it is illegal for
    someone to enter your apt w/o your knowledge (altho I know that
    frequently maintenance people do come right-on-in when no one is
    home - supposedly to "fix" a "terrible" leak - or - something like 
    that).  But because you have a cat in a non-large animals complex
    you are limited in how far you can complain to management before
    you find yourself facing an unfortunate ultimatum. 
    
    I think tho that having your brother intercede with this creep might 
    be the best bet. You're lucky he's around to help you.
                                                                  
    It seems that this weirdo is trying to get something from you ($$$
    or something else - who knows ) and he thinks that the cat is way 
    to do it. And he has probably done it before with other ladies 
    and has been successful. Now he's trying his scam on you. 
    It makes me so angry!!! 
    
    Good luck. 
    

    I think you should report them searching your apt. too.  That is
    illegal, isn't it.  If you leave your cat with your brother or a
    friend for awhile, the landlord won't find a cat if he does get
    a report from Mr. Sleezey, and he may also fire Mr. Sleezey if he
    found out about his invasion of your privacy.
    
    Good luck.
    Pat
    

    
    
         Oh brother what a bad predicament....  I would definately have
    your brother come over.  From reading your enty I do not like the
    sounds of this "man" and feel like his interest in you is way above
    the norm.  Act on your intuitions if you feel like he is a threat
    make sure to convey it like you've done.  Some people always underplay
    but it's always better to take precautions..  Like I say  "the just
    in case" approach.  
    
          I understand you love your apartment very much but now you
    have two things to consider.  Your cat and you.  Even if it has
    been put off for the moment chances are sooner or later the landlord
    is going to find out.  If you have the other tenant that is upset
    over you having your cat I think she may very well let it be known.
    Then you'll be faced with that and it may be a time limit that puts
    you into a real bind.  Plus the fact of this man who will probably
    continue to work there even if everything was all set with your
    cat.  If he gives you the "willies" and has admitted to snooping
    around your apartment I don't think you'll feel that comfortable
    there.  I'd start checking to see what's available for apartments.
    You may hit it just right and find something affordable where you
    can keep your cat with no worry about being found out and get rid
    of him.  I know of a place that will be renting but I have no idea
    where you are located and I understand why so if you'd like to know
    if it's in your area let me know by mail.  :^)  I guess in my
    long-winded reply is I'd move and start looking now just in case
    I'd be moving in a hurry.  
    
    Take care and I'll be thinking of you.  
    
                                                                 kim
    p.s.  You've got a sweet brother. :^) 

    Dear Anoynomous:
    
    How about having your brother adding those key locks with the chains
    that you reach in and open with a key on the inside of the door
    from the outside of the door.  Not a good explanation - but they
    work - your other option is calling the police - that person
    has no right to make you feel nervous - he can be kept away.
    I know how you feel - I had to hide my cats for years.  It
    really stinks to have to live that way - it's worse when you
    think you have been "found out" - living in fear is really
    nasty - 
    
    E.T.
    

    
    This is a bad situation, I can understand your concern.  I agree
    with all the previous responses but have an observation.  That woman
    had to give up her cat to stay, her place was more important than
    her cat.  If it comes to a head and they tell you that you have
    to get rid of your cat, tell them (if it is true) that you will
    be forced to move out.  The landlord may want to work out a deal
    instead of giving up the income your apartment gives him (temporarily).
    Like an extra $25 a month, or 1/2 of the security deposit for pet
    damage, or the promise that the place will be professionally cleaned
    when you move out.
    
    In my old place, in the 2 1/2 years I lived there, we had 6 maintenance
    men.  It's a high turnover job, you may luck out if your trouble
    maker moves on...
    
    Good luck!
    
    

    1. If you are really scared, report him to management (and the
    authorities if you wish), and worry about the consequences later.
    
    2. There may be room for negotiation, since:
    	a.You have a cat, but the complex has a problem with the guy
    	in question, and
    	b.The cat has been no problem, so maybe they'll make an exception
    	for you.
    
    Good luck...Gary
    	

    A number of things:
    
    I really doubt that your neighbor, who has had to go thru the pain
    of giving up her cat, would put another cat owner thru that pain
    as well.  I suspect the weirdo is lying about her.
    
    I would look for another place to live, and have your brother keep
    the cat until this is settled.  Knowing he is safe is one worry
    off your mind.
    
    I would DEFINITELY get another lock on the door that you can lock
    yourself when you are home.  The management might insist that they
    have all the keys to the locks, but they can't insist if you just
    lock it when you are there.  Actually a throw bolt, or whatever
    they are called, doesn't need a key.
    
    You may find the management receptive to your worries about the
    weirdo;  if you were attacked after warning them about him, they
    would be in for a big lawsuit.  If they fire him, be sure you change
    your locks as he might keep a key.
                
                    

This reply is from the author of the base note who wishes to remain
anoynomous.
    
    Deb

===========================================================================    
    RE: .7
    
    The reason why they don't let you keep a cat is so when people move
    in that are allergic to cats they will not have to remove and replace
    it.  That's what that guy told me last night.
    
    I called the office this morning and asked to speak to maint guy
    that did in fact fix my window (it was not the same guy, which really
    makes me think that this whole thing is a set up) but he is on
    vacation.  I did speak to the manager about and she didn't say a
    word about my cat.  I don't think a word was said about the cat
    but I am sure he is going to try to take the credit for it.
    
    If something was said then I am out.  If nothing was said then I
    have to live with the fact that this guy can come and go out of
    my apt as he pleases.
    

    
    
    	I assume that you won't be reading this till Wednesday.  Hope
    everything turned out alright.  But if you are threatened, then
    start looking for another place to live but also do something
    about the threat (press charges, complain, get the guy fired).
    
    The management has a valid reason for making you leave so you might
    as well get the heck out now and not put up a fight.  Because even
    if management doesn't know yet, you don't want to live there under
    threat from this maintainance guy.  And if you complain, which you
    should, your cat will get found out.
    
    It seems to me that the only way out of the situation is if the
    maintainance guy means no harm.  He could just think you are cute
    and just wants to talk.  There is a guy in my cafeteria who always
    pesters me but he isn't a threat, just a nuisance.  If this guy
    is just a pest, find a "boyfriend" real fast.  That may be all it
    takes to discourage him.  You could say things along the order of
    "well, it really doesn't matter if you tell management because 
    I may be moving in with my boyfriend anyhow".  Have your brother
    pose as the boyfriend!  Well, you get the idea...
    
    Karen

    If he can get in to your apartment, CHANGE THE LOCKS.  Give
    management keys when you move out.
    
    

    I would definitely change the locks.  Give the management the new
    keys and tell them about the problem with the maintanence and ask
    the management not to give the keys to maintanence because you are
    afraid that this guy will do damage to your apartment, and tell
    them if something has to be fixed ask them to do it at night or
    on the weekends when your brother can be there, and you lock the
    cat in another room.
    
    Again think about having the cat stay with your brother and definitely
    reporting this guy.
    
    No woman needs to live with this kind of fear.  The issue of the
    cat is important, but so isn't the issue of what this man is doing
    to you emotionally.
    
    Please do something, I would hate to see you have to get rid of
    the cat and then still have this guy harassing you afterwards.
    
    Keep us updated, for we are worried about you.
    
    Kathy, T.C. and Trigger.
    

    OK, I gotta add my $.02...
    
    I'd go to the office, tell them that, although you're sure this
    gentleman (read: sleeze bucket) had no harmful intent, that he did
    proposition you and that you would feel more secure if they changed
    your locks (or allowed you to do so) and would ensure that he would
    not have any access to your residence under any circumstances.
    
    Just because you rent does not mean you have no rights!!  You have
    the right to feel safe and secure in your home (and it is YOUR HOME,
    not their PROPERTY!), to be free from harrasement by their employees,
    and have the ultimate right to your privacy, which means they CANNOT
    enter YOUR HOME and search it without the Police!!
    
    OOOOOOHHHH this burns me up!!  Good luck!
    
    Mary
    

    I would love to go to the office and tell them that this guy is
    bothering me and get him fired but he can turn around and turn me
    in.  If/when this happens I will not get rid of my cat.  She goes
    -- I go.  I am just not prepared to make that step right now.  I
    would like to save more money to buy something than be forced into
    that decision now. 
    
    RE: Changing the locks.  Sure I can change the locks but the maint.
    people have to have a copy.  They have to be able to get in in case
    of the peoples dishwasher, toilet or whatever overflows or some
    emergency arises.  I can not change it and say don't give this key
    to Bill.  
    
    I have rigged my door with a device to let me know if anyone has
    entered while I am at work.  What am I supposed to do if someone
    has entered?
    
    He didn't show up at my door last night so I feel better.  Now I
    just have to wait and see if I get a letter in the mail.........
    
    

    Save money fast.  And don't forget, if he goes to the management about
    your cat, you can tell them about his behavior, so you're not powerless
    here.
    

    You are breaking the rule about having a cat knowingly so why
    does changing the locks and not giving them a key bother you??
    If the plumbing is so bad that things could go bad at any moment
    and they just "have" to have a key at a moments notice to get in
    then you are in danger(from drowning in you sleep maybe) and should
     move out anyway.  Is it worth the mental agony you have and will
    go thru to stay there?  If this guy is as weird as you say what's
    to stop him from walking in while you're gone and taking your cat
    away and there will be nothing you can say or do about it.  You
    couldn't even prove it or throw resonable doubt in his direction
    unless someone saw him!!  You are in a lose-lose situation and
    only you can change your situation.  There are adds around that
    could help you find another place and if money is a concern you
    could possibly find an apt. with a room mate at a reasonable rate
    with permission to have cats.
      We can shed tears for you and give advice but you have to act!
    Don't wait too long or the decision will be taken away from you
    by others who will act.(landloard)
      Good Luck
       Ken

    What are you supposed to do if someone enters during the day?? 
    You're supposed to march your buns to the office (or call day or
    night) and ask the nature if the emergency that caused them to enter
    your apartment.  There is nothing wrong with INSISTING that before
    ANYONE in their employ enters your apartment, you be called at work
    and your permission be obtained.  They are breaking your lease if
    they don't do this!!  Hey, you've got rights, lady!!  Don't be afraid
    of the managment folks.  Your lease protects you as well as them.
    
    I live in a no-pets townhouse.  I have 2 (oh, make that 7...) cats
    and they know I have them.  I'm a good tennant, however, and they'd
    like to keep me.  They know that I must be called before anyone
    comes in, unless there's a broken pipe or something.  I changed
    my locks, gave them a key, and laid down the rules that they must
    call me before they come in.  This is simple courtesy on their part.
    There is one maint. guy, Roger, who takes care of just about everything
    in my home, and I trust him, so I don't have the same problem, but
    I still don't want him marching in at whim.  [BTW, remember Ruth,
    next door, who's son is taking my little Meg??  She's private secretary
    to the man who owns my complex.  If they throw me out, they've got
    to throw her out too, and she ain't going nowhere!]
    
    The management company will certainly honour your request to be
    notified if someone must enter your apartment.  You don't have to
    get Bozo fired, just tell them you'd feel better if someone else
    took care of any maintenance that needed to be done.  Tell them
    that, as a woman living alone, you worry, albiet needlessly perhaps,
    none the less, you still worry.  Tell them that it would ease your
    mind considerably if they would honour your very reasonable request.
    
    Hey, you want me to call them???  I'm real good at this stuff....
    
    Mary-the-renter

    I rented (illegally) for years before Ken and I finally bought our
    own home.  I agree one hundred percent with Mary!  The first thing
    I would do upon moving in was change all the locks.  Then I gave
    the landlord one key with explicit instructions not to enter the
    apartment without my consent.  I also asked for 24 hour advance
    notice when non-emergency type repairs needed to be made.  This
    may sound drastic to some of you but I do not like the feeling of
    coming into my house and "knowing" someone has been there.
    
    One of our landlords let himself into our house to drop off the
    doors to our fireplace one night.  My husband was out of town on
    business and I was alone.  I got home from work late (after dark)
    and discovered that my front door was unlocked.  I went next door
    and called the police.  When they arrived we investigated the house.
    We found my phone off the hook, and my patio sliding glass door
    open.  There in the middle of the floor were the doors to our fireplace
    which we had been asking for for months.  The police made a incident
    report about what they had found.  I called the landlord and asked
    if he had been by the house.  He said yes.  I told him that I had
    a policeman there making a report and that if he ever entered my
    home again without my permission, I would sue him.  I was scared
    to death!  When I discovered the front door unlocked, I was sure
    that someone was still in there.  There wasn't a light on in the
    place, it was pitch black.  There was no way that I was going in
    there alone.
    
    If you need to give them a reason for not wanting them in your place
    say that you have valuables in there and don't want the complex
    to find themselves in an uncomfortable position should anything
    turn up missing.  They will be all for protecting themselves from
    lawsuits.
    
    I also agree that you should say something to the management about
    the maintanence man being a little "too friendly" and use the
    suggestions Mary made about wanting to be careful since you live
    alone.  Who knows, the guy may be bothering other women in the complex
    who have already complained.  You may be doing more people a favor
    by bringing it up.  
    
    If you do get a letter, don't worry about it.  Do your best to find
    another apartment that you will like just as much.  My cats and
    I have the dubious distinction of being thrown out of some of the
    best apartment complexes in the bay area.
    
    jo
    

    
    Dear Anonymous:
    
    What's the latest on this situation - Is the wierdo still around?
    
    Basically, I agree with all the other replys.  Take your furface
    and leave or work a deal with the landlord.  There are some landlords
    that would be glad to have an extra $25 bucks a month just for allowing
    you to have a cat!
    
    I'm sure you'll end up doing what's right for you and your baby!
    
    Good luck & keep us posted
    BC                                         

    I'd get this sleazeball aside and 'confide' in him that your cat
    is particularly important to you " ... since you find it especially
    difficult to keep friends since you contracted AIDS."
    
    That should solve all your problems with this bum, and this
    'information' cannot be used against you because one cannot be denied
    housing on the basis of 'medical condition.'
    
    
    KBS
    

    
    	Dear Anonymous,
    
    	I need a roommate...  you probably read my ad.  If you are
    	interested in living in Nashua with my 2-1/2 cats and me,
    	let me know!