Utility model: The process is simpler than the invention, and only includes three steps: filing an application, preliminary examination and authorization.
Whether it is an invention or a utility model, the authorized patent should be made public, in a state that you can check it as long as you want. If you want to get the protection of patent rights, publicity is a necessary process (except for national defense patents), so I don't think there is anything that the landlord is worried about. This is the value of the patent system. In order to encourage invention and creation, protect patent rights within a certain period of time, and at the same time, in order to prevent technological monopoly, promote technological progress and reduce repeated research, protection is limited. Part of the value of publicity lies in letting the society know what progress technology has made and preventing repeated research and waste of resources. If the landlord is worried that the patent office staff will steal the patent and then deliberately reject your application, then there is a corresponding remedy, that is, apply to the Patent Reexamination Board for reexamination. If you are not satisfied with the results of the review and think that there are thieves and rats, you can also bring a lawsuit to the court. If you think this is a big chess game, you can also protect it as a trade secret.