Landlord/Tenant Question?

Question

I live in Tennessee. Can a landlord do surprise monthly inspections of a home in Tennessee?

My landlord/owner of the property told us that he is going to do surprise monthly inspections without any notice. We live in a 1974 singlewide that happens to be in bad condition because the landlord waits too long to make repairs.

He wants to "inspect" inside because we have had two neighbors trash their premises.

He told me that he will not announce. I paid a nice security deposit before moving in 5 years ago.

Last night his daughter came to my door (IN THE RAIN) trying to sell me AVON. I did not let her in as it was obvious why she was there. She had never spoken to me before.

Answer 1

No they can't. As a tenant you have certain rights to the use of the property. The landlord has to give you reasonable notice prior to inspecting the property, anything less is trespassing.

Don't let the landlord do this....

Answer 2

The short answer, no, the landlord must give you 24 hours notice of intent to inspect, verbally or written. Of course it has to be at a reasonable time, like I work the graveyard shift and sleep from noon till eight in the evening; wanting to do a walk through at three in the afternoon wouldn't be good for me. Or doing a walk through at dinner time isn't good either. Additionally if you are going away for the weekend, and the landlord wants to inspect on one of those days, then it's not a valid request. Landlords find out the hard way that not doing so leads to major problems, the house being trashed, roach infestations that get into other units, and inability to rent out the place until it is up to speed. Sometimes the security deposit doesn't cover the damages, like cigarette burns in the carpets, holes in the walls, broken doors, and the ex tenant has no job so it's difficult to recover the money.

Answer 3

Notice is required. Check in your lease for a time period. If it's not specified, the following exerpt from the tenant's rights in New Jersey may help:

>>
When can a landlord enter?
The law allows the landlord or the landlord’s workers to go into the tenant’s dwelling only in a few special situations:
•If the tenant invites or asks the landlord or one of the landlord’s workers to come in.
•If the landlord needs to inspect the apartment, but only
oat reasonable periods of time—every day is unreasonable, every few months might be okay;
oat a reasonable time of day—4 a.m. is unreasonable, 4 p.m. might be okay, depending on whether the tenant will be home at that time; and
oonly after giving the tenant reasonable notice that he or she is coming to inspect. Reasonable notice usually means a written notice. It also usually means that the notice must be given at least one day before the landlord wants to come in. For buildings containing three apartments or more, there is a regulation requiring one day’s notice before a landlord can come into an apartment to make an inspection or do repairs. Cite: N.J.A.C. 5:10-5.1(c).
•If the landlord or one of the landlord’s workers needs to come into the apartment to do maintenance or make repairs. If the repairs are not an emergency, they can only come into the house or apartment at a reasonable time and after giving reasonable notice.
<<

The landlord may argue that he's given you notice that he's going to inspect at an unknown time. This is unreasonable, they need to give you notice that they're going to inspect and tell you when they're coming.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Answer 4

Absolutely not. Under no circumstance is your landlord entitled to enter your property without serving you appropriate notice as defined by your state. Research your local statutes.

It should read something like this;

(1) The tenant shall not unreasonably withhold consent to the landlord to enter the dwelling unit from time to time in order to inspect the premises; make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations, or improvements; supply agreed services; or exhibit the dwelling unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workers, or contractors.

(2) The landlord may enter the dwelling unit at any time for the protection or preservation of the premises. The landlord may enter the dwelling unit upon reasonable notice to the tenant and at a reasonable time for the purpose of repair of the premises. "Reasonable notice" for the purpose of repair is notice given at least 12 hours prior to the entry, and reasonable time for the purpose of repair shall be between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. The landlord may enter the dwelling unit when necessary for the further purposes set forth in subsection (1) under any of the following circumstances:

(a) With the consent of the tenant;

(b) In case of emergency;

(c) When the tenant unreasonably withholds consent; or

(d) If the tenant is absent from the premises for a period of time equal to one-half the time for periodic rental payments. If the rent is current and the tenant notifies the landlord of an intended absence, then the landlord may enter only with the consent of the tenant or for the protection or preservation of the premises.

(3) The landlord shall not abuse the right of access nor use it to harass the tenant.

Answer 5

Your best bet is to get a copy of tenants rights for the county that you live in. This will allow you to see what you have a right to and make sure that your landlord doesn't overstep his boundaries. Like make unnecessary inspections. If he is failing to make repairs that affect the safety of the home, you can report him to your local housing authority--dead-beat landlords can be forced to make repairs.

Answer 6

WELL IT SAYS ONLINE THAT ITS ONLY LEGAL IF THERE'S A FIRE OR FLOOD, YOU ARE GONE LONGER THAN 7 DAYS WITHOUT TELLING THE LANDLORD, YOU DIE OR GET TOO SICK TO ANSWER THE DOOR, YOU MOVE W/O TELLING THE LANDLORD, YOU GO TO JAIL, OR THEY GET A COURT ORDER, OTHERWISE THEY NEED TO GET YOUR O.K. BEFORE THEY COME IN. Don't let them in unless you feel comfortable. That's the bad part of renting people trash places, that's why you do credit checks, background checks and call past rental places. His way of insuring himself a good renter is the wrong way.

Answer 7

Any owner can check out their property any time they want. The courtesy is that they let you know ahead of time, but they don't really have to do that, especially if they think something is going on or they don't have the time to give you notice (i.e. say he called the termite inspector, and the termite inspector arrives without much notice...or some city or county crew comes to inspect the pipes cause something in the yard is backed up).

Answer 8

A landlord is suppose to send a letter , to let the tenant know ahead of time.

Answer 9

They are not suppose to, unless there is an emergency situation. I use to live in TN and most landlords will make up some bs. answer so there is not much you can do. Sorry

Answer 10

I'm not sure but you should check with your local courts. Also try www.myownrealestate.org perhaps you may want to try buying a house and eliminate this problem.