My co worker is renting a home from somebody who is selling their home. The landlord has been bringing people to see the house without notice or with very little notice and has been asked many times to give 24hours notice.
My coworker changed her locks so that the landlord cannot just walk into her place that she is renting. Now the landlord is asking for a copy of the key immeadiatly.
Is she required by law to give the landlord a copy of the key? Any good advice that might apply? This is in upstate new york.
2006-08-30 01:29:59 · 12 answers · asked by B tizzy 3 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
Yes, she is legally obligated to give the landlord a key.
However, the landlord is NOT permitted to show the property without giving proper notice!
If the property is listed with an agent, she should contact the agent directly and advise them that she requires 24 hours advance notice for a showing. The agent will respect this and add her contact details to the listing record.
She may need to have an attorney send the landlord a letter advising him or her that they are in violation of the law and to cease and desist.
I dealt with this once many years ago by leaving some very obviously "dirty" underwear lying around the house. It's amazing what a little chocolate sauce will do for you when stategically applied to some worn-out gruns! Potential buyers immediately turned around and left. ;)
2006-08-30 02:39:15 · answer #1 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The house, including the lock, is the property of the landlord. Your co-worker need to supply a copy of the key. As far as the 24 hours notice, She should check with a lawyer to see if there could be something done if the landlord is unwilling to abide by that rule.
2006-08-30 01:34:54 · answer #2 · answered by fishing66833 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
State laws provide that landlords give proper notice - google your state and landlord/tenant laws to find out the specifics. They have to be in writing and have to be reasonable. And, the tenant has the right to say no.
Tenant HAS to give the landlord a key immediately. It's illegal. But the tenant has rights to privacy and rights against unreasonable access.
Copy the section of the tenant law and provide the landlord the key and letter demanding that they follow the law.
If not, go to small claims (intimidating but easy) and request a hearing. Most small claims have days specific to landlord/tenant issues.
If the judge finds the landlord in violation of the law, he will give the tenant "double damages". Tenants are usually favored.
2006-08-30 02:45:18 · answer #3 · answered by Paula M 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Landlords in Wisconsin are required to give 48 hours notice. Your landlord can't just waltz in anytime he wants to. I suggest you let him know that if he does this again you will call the police and have him arrested for violation of the law. And yes, landlords are supposed to have a copy of the key in the event of an emergency, but in this I would refuse to hand one over until he or she signs a statement that says that he will give you proper notice before coming.
2006-08-30 01:34:12 · answer #4 · answered by Paul H 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1st yes the landlord must have a key,
second even if the landlord is selling the place they must give reasonable notice to enter usually 24 hours and then some states only m-f 9 to 5 no weekends, if they show up on weekend and your friend is their and they did not give proper notice do not let them in,
if they enter w/o notice and your friend thinks something is missing afterward they can always file with police a trespassing charged as well as a potential theft
2006-08-30 04:18:49 · answer #5 · answered by goz1111 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the landlord owns the apartment, but when giving the new key to the owner, possibly ask for 24 hour notice if he wants to come in and see the apartment.
2006-08-30 01:36:27 · answer #6 · answered by babbles 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a standoff to me.l
Bringing people to see the house without notice is probably illegal and is certainly unethical.
Not giving the landlord a key might be illegal, but I certainly can see how your coworker was driven to change the locks.
I suggest they ask an attorney's advice which many will give free of charge.
2006-08-30 01:35:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
She better give a key, to make things easier for her and to start getting the 24 hour notice she wants, she should not leave when they do show up and then she should make it look real crappy. After a few times the landlord will get the hint and maybe start giving the notice your friend wants.
2006-08-30 01:34:05 · answer #8 · answered by scratch golfer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the renter is not the owner of the rental unit, the owner is. give the key up. In oklahoma the landlord must provide 24hr notice before showing your unit. you can be evicted for not adherring to the lease. Any excuses that the landlord isn't providing notice won't stand up in court anyway. Make it easier and give them a key. You should feel lucky the landlord isn't requesting his/her original lock back. You could be charged for that.
2006-08-30 02:15:35 · answer #9 · answered by Lisamichelle 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She owes him a key. As demanded.
She should not have had the locks changed. She can not deny him access to his property. He owns it. If there are other issues at hand, notice etc. they can be dealt with appropriately but the way your co worker handled this was not appropriate recourse.
2006-08-30 02:06:21 · answer #10 · answered by scubadiver50704 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋