Do landlords have the right to enter their home if it wasn’t written in the lease?
SCMeeyah asked:
They are re-doing the backyard landscape. When they come over to look at the backyard, am I obligated to allow him inside the house?
They are re-doing the backyard landscape. When they come over to look at the backyard, am I obligated to allow him inside the house?
7 Responses to “Do landlords have the right to enter their home if it wasn’t written in the lease?”
You are not obligated to let them in, but if it is the only way to the backyard then you should. There is nothing wrong with being polite and offering him something to drink or snack on. He may need to use your bathroom as well. Unless you have something to hide?
what country do you live in? In the UK they have to give 24 hours notice and be received by the tenant. US i’m not sure.
No, but what are you hiding?
With reasonable notice (usually a day), yes. But only with a specified reason. It’s ok to say “we’re doing a general look-see” but it should not be overly intrusive or lengthy unless they find problems.
I find that some tenants are so hesitent to call attention to themselves that they let lots of maintenance items go unreported. So it is wise for a landlord to take a quick walk-through a couple times a year.
Your landlord may wish to use the basement for a wash-up or to temporarily store materials during the process.
Basically, the answer to your question is you do not have to let him in. It’s a qualified answer, however.
Unless specified otherwise in your rental agreement, landlords have the right to enter your home at “reasonable” times and intervals but only with 24 hour notice. In other words you can refuse if you think it’s unreasonable or you didn’t get 24 hour notice but be careful with the reasonable issue. An unreasonable time doesn’t give you the right to exclude the landlord altogether, only to reschedule a better time.
In an emergency a landlord can always enter without notice. An emergency would be something like a sudden water leak where imminent damage to the home would occur without immediate intervention.
No you don’t have to let him in, but if you have a landlord that is actually making improvements on the property, and you have nothing to hide. What is the harm in letting them in to use the bathroom etc. Lay out some soda’s or water for him and his workers. Not only will they appreciate it, he will continue to consider you a good tennent.
As a landlord, usually I give 24 hours notice of entry. As long as there is notice, it is legal for me to enter my property. This is in California.