Do I have the right to tell the Apartment Mgr/maintenance personnel to take their shoes off before entering?

Question

I mostly ask my close family, friends or relatives to take their shoes off before entering my home because on the inside it's carpet and you know how carpet can get dirty pretty fast especially if people walk in with their shoes on. Has anyone else ever asked the Apt Maintenance crew or Manager from the front office to take their shoes off before entering your home due to the same reason? and do I have the right to tell them before entering because my carpet has been ruined due to them entering and walking around while I was at work and who knows where they walked (shoes) before entering my home. It's really gross!! I, myself take my shoes off outside the door and enter my home in my socks, carry my shoes and put them in shoe boxes that I have versus setting them on top of the rug or even worse right on the carpet.

Answer 1

You have every right to ask the apartment maintenance and the front office to remove their shoes, or at least put on those plastic booties that carpet cleaners wear, because you are paying rent and this is your home. I surely have done it and the staff at the complex were not offended at all. Good luck.

Answer 2

All cultures are different. In the U.S., asking someone you do not know well, to remove their shoes is considered offensive.

Providing a good entry rug will help, also a shoe scrapper. Buy rolls of butcher paper and lay those down in high traffic areas when they visit. Or buy similar plastic tarp material for the same purpose.

While your request is valid and understandable, you will find the business relationship detoriating quickly until you are able to comfortably make them understand why you prefer it. They will probably offer to remove their shoes if you take it carefully...

Answer 3

It is better to respect people than respect rights.

Smile, and ask the maintenance personnel to take their shoes off. Or provide booties made from plastic bags and elastic bands. Perhaps have a sign that says "please remove your shoes", next to the shoe boxes.

However the maintenance personnel may be obliged due to occupational health and safety reason to wear footwear (that would be reasonable). At that point you may wish to lay out cardboard out to protect your carpet.

Answer 4

My mom has and certainly would.The more expensive companies have these shoe covers for there employee's to where in peoples home.They slip over the top of the shoe so it doesn't get your carpet dirty.You would think other companies would think of doing that since it's only like buying plastic gloves those cheapies.

Answer 5

it is your home & you have that right. Even if you are renting, the law says the owner has to inform you if he needs to enter. if you know they are coming, put throw rugs down. Another thing you could do is ask them to put paper shoes on as maint. workers usually wear boots with laces & it is a pain to remove them.

Answer 6

You can ask them to take their shoes off for inspection. However, when they are working on heavy objects, they must wear shoes for protection.

If you have major work done, just cover the path yourself or ask them to bring in floor covers (old sheets) to walk on.

It's best that someone stay home to watch them.

Answer 7

Yes. And make them clean the carpet if they got it dirty.

Answer 8

yes... you have the right to tell them to take their shoes off before entering...

Answer 9

YES!!!! Especially if you have to pay for carpet cleaning yourself.