Posted by Jimmy on April 05, 2007 at 07:49:13:
the lease agreement I use allows me (or my designees) to enter an apartment for any number of reasons, at any reasonable time, and without notice to tenant.
Landlord Access to show apartment - Posted by eric Holthan
Posted by eric Holthan on April 04, 2007 at 19:58:30:
In NYC Can a landlord gain access to an apartment to show it to prospective tenants AFTER the current tenant provided notice they were moving out. I would like to start showing it 30-45 days before the current tenant vacates the apartment. I asked for one hour access twice per week, for a total of two hours. Thank you
Re: Landlord Access to show apartment - Posted by Frank Chin
Posted by Frank Chin on April 06, 2007 at 14:25:21:
Eric:
While my lease specifically allows me to show the apartments after giving notice, I completely understand if the tenant says he needs to be there, and for me to make a prior appointment.
I live in Queeens, and before I moved into my own home, I dutifully notified the management company for the apartment I was renting that I’m moving, allowing his staff to show the place. Lo and behold, two days later, my apartment was burglarized, valuables were stolen, after having no problems since I moved in before I married. Jewelry my wife owned since she was a lttle girl were taken, and could never be replaced.
I beleive to this very day the burglary was directly related to the building staff knowing I’m not in, or it could be someone they showed the place to, saw what was there, came back later, broke in, and stole my stuff.
Since both my wife and I worked at the time, no way we can stay home 30 days watching the place after giving notice. Thinking back, maybe we should’ve gotten ourselves a safety deposit box, or moved our stuff to our relatives.
But, wait a minute, weren’t we paying rent to live in peace and security??
I used to show rentals before tenants moving years back, and one tenant had such a pigsty that tenants ran away disgusted after showing it for three months. I was evicting the guy, and he was good enough to let me show it.
Finally, I cleaned and painted the place after he moved, showed it, rented it out in one weekend with a dozen applicants wanting it, on a Father’s day.
It finally dawned on me that showing filthy rentals is a total waste of time.
Frank Chin
Re: Landlord Access to show apartment - Posted by Natalie-VA
Posted by Natalie-VA on April 06, 2007 at 12:38:02:
My leases allow me access to the property, but like DJ said, the tenants can make life miserable if they want.
I’ve got 2 that I gave around 70 days notice to last week, because I want to sell them. Neither are happy about having to move. I’ve offered each of them money ($1000 to one and $1500 to the other), if they can help me get the house under contract while they’re still living there. All they have to do is make the house easy to show and show well. Neither has taken me up on it yet. I’m hoping after the shock wears off, they might want a chance to make some extra cash.
We’ll see.
–Natalie
Re: Landlord Access to show apartment - Posted by DJ-nyc
Posted by DJ-nyc on April 06, 2007 at 11:43:29:
Eric,
You can talk with the tenant and ask if it is okay. Landlord/tenant matters in NYC can be very difficult without a level of humility in talking with the tenants. Eventhough you have legal rights, if they want to give you a hard time, it could make your life miserable. (I am speaking from NYC landlord experience)
I often offer the tenant a couple of dollars (your discretion) if they have a problem with providing the access you need. But, would the next tenant want to see the apartment with all the last tenant’s junk and stuff in it? New tenants like to see newly painted and carpeted stuff. (my 78 cents)
Good luck,
DJ-nyc