Home audio & video: Toshiba VCR doing odd things...as well as other electronics

Toshiba VCR doing odd things...as well as other electronics

My mom has an older (about 8 years, little used) Toshiba
mono VCR. Over the last year it has started to turn on on its own. Also, if a tape is in it, in Stop Mode, it will
eventually rewind it. When it is empty, it makes strage scratching sounds. It appears that it tries to load a
tape when it is empty. No timers have been set and the remote is not being used. The TV is a RCA and has a completly diffrent remote, so that can not be the problem.
I am thinking that it may be some interference from the A/C line. I guess I'll have to ask the appartment management to call in the electric co and have them test the power lines for excessive noise.
Tonight the TV started to act up too. It turned on by it self. It has no on or off timers (older model).
Has anyone any idea what's going on? FM radio reception also has degraded in her apartment. When I walk around the living room the radio signal fades some and a low buzz is heard.