Shouldn’t Do This, but…

NEC 240 . 24 (B) says each occupant shall have ready access to all overcurrent devices supplying the occupancy 

@oldelectricalinspctor It has been a long time since I rented but I'm pretty sure I never rented where I didn't know where the electrical breaker box was.  Glad to know this is in the NEC.

@goofyfoot Considering the additional info, and the fact that you should have access to the breaker box, I think you would be wiser to talk to the landlord. And be willing to do this the right way with an electrician and permission. Too many things can go wrong that may impact your tenancy. 

@noromance I texted the landlord with that NEC citation and that didn’t go over very well. He said, ‘no one goes into the basement without me, why do you need to get into the breaker box’? At which point I made up some nonsense. I’m not living in a gentrified part of the city. There are six houses on my street and everything else around me are industrial complexes. Anyway, I’m looking at the Goal Zero 500X lithium generator and that would make the in the wall receptacle a moot point.  But speaking of the landlord, he’s regular people and when it comes to my stereo, regular people see me as eccentric.

Just tell him you need to upgrade the outlet for some sensitive electronics and you'll pay for it. If he pushes back, tell him if it didn't matter you wouldn't be asking.

And, the NEC 240 24.b is the real deal. If he won't comply, call it in to the city. It's like gravity, it not just a good idea, it's the law.