Thanks for the info. Being an apartment complex with an on-site manager makes it easier and harder.
Easier:
- The laws in CA favor tenants. Heavily. Damn liberals.
It'd be difficult to evict someone like you.
- Vacancies are up. If you're paying in full on time and have had no problems it's unlikely they'll push it.
- What you're doing is no more hazardous than making soup. I doubt a judge would see different.
Harder:
- They guy's just doing his job. He's told not to let anyone do anything that could 'blow up', and he doesn't really have a personal stake on keeping you in the apt.
- He's old. Damn old people.
Joking aside, as people get older they get less flexible and what they think is what's true - dadgummit!
Here's what I would do. First, ignore him, and see if he brings it up again. There's a good likelihood he won't.
If he mentions it again, talk to the guy. Ask him why he thinks it's dangerous and why you're going to blow the place up. If you can nicely get him to see that what you're doing is pretty much like making soup, then you won't have any more hassles. Hell, bring him some homebrew as a peace offering.
If the old fart won't budge, do what most of the people here have said. If he comes into the apartment without giving you notice then write a certified letter asking that he give you 24 hours notice, and requiring your presence. Make sure on that day to not be brewing, and have your carboys in a locked cabinet or a box. Landlords are NOT allowed to go through your stuff.
Remember that CA laws are in your favor, both for homebrewing and tenant/landlord laws. The problem you might face is a day in court, but if you have the time, you can easily defend yourself, and it's likely you'd win.
Last, please keep in mind that I'm not an attorney so take what I've said with a grain of salt. Take a look at this:
http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/landlordbook/catenant.pdf. It outlines CA laws.
Best of luck. Feel free to PM me anytime if you want.
Scott