An Ohio woman says she was jolted awake by a terrifying and surreal moment no renter should ever experience: strangers walking into her apartment without permission. What should have been a private, safe space suddenly turned into an unauthorized apartment tour, all while she was inside and unaware anyone was coming.
The renter, known online as @garbitchtruck on TikTok, shared that a leasing manager allegedly sent a group of prospective tenants into her apartment with zero warning. She says the door opened, footsteps followed, and she immediately realized someone had entered her home. Confused, exhausted, and angry, she rushed downstairs to confront the people walking in.
What she found was a young leasing agent accompanied by several adults who appeared just as startled as she was. According to her account, none of them seemed aware that the apartment was occupied or that no notice had been given. The agent reportedly identified himself as working for Northsteppe Realty, which escalated the situation further.
Ohio Woman Deals With Multiple Unannounced Entries
This was not an isolated incident. The Ohio renter claims this was the third time people had entered her apartment without consent. In one earlier situation, she says she was getting out of the shower when she heard unfamiliar male voices inside her home. On other occasions, maintenance workers allegedly unlocked the door and walked in as if no one lived there.
She says these repeated intrusions left her feeling unsafe, violated, and constantly on edge. Beyond the unauthorized entries, she also described ongoing issues with management. This includes poor communication, surprise fees, and a rent increase during her lease term. According to her, attempts to resolve these issues were met with silence or dismissiveness.
In Ohio, landlords are generally required to give tenants at least 24 hours’ notice before entering an occupied apartment. Except in true emergencies. While the law does not clearly state how that notice must be delivered, renters are still entitled to advance warning.
“Not only as that illegal, it sounds like they’re targeting you in particular, especially if it’s three times,” one follower writes.
“Lawyer up babe. This is your safety at hand,” another adds.
“This crash out is valid!!” a third agrees.
Renters Can Protect Themselves
Some commenters suggested that notices may have been sent electronically, possibly to email or junk folders, or only to a primary leaseholder. Even so, renters argue that failing to clearly communicate before sending strangers into an occupied home crosses a serious line and may still violate tenant rights.
The renter’s claims also raised eyebrows over the alleged mid-lease rent increase. Unless a lease explicitly allows for such increases, raising rent during an active lease can be illegal. Situations like this serve as a warning for renters everywhere, especially in Ohio. There are steps tenants can take to reduce the risk of unauthorized entry.
Document everything, including dates, emails, and incidents, in case legal action becomes necessary.
Read your lease carefully, paying close attention to notice clauses, tour permissions, and rent increase language.
Request written confirmation for all showings, maintenance visits, or inspections.
Use additional door security, such as door jams or smart locks, where allowed, to prevent surprise entries.
This disturbing situation highlights how quickly a renter’s sense of safety can be shattered when boundaries are ignored. No tenant should ever wake up to strangers inside their home. As housing costs rise and large management companies expand, renters must stay informed. Remain vigilant and ready to stand up for their rights. What happened in this Ohio apartment is not just shocking. It’s a warning.
Kendra Quinn 
Nina Franklin 
Sofia Bassett 
