Landlord....Would you Say this is Reasonable?
By Jshean20
@Jshean20 (14348)
Canada
February 17, 2007 7:01pm CST
So you've given your landlord 3 months notice that you will be leaving on April 1st. Obviously he/she wants to find some new renters but is it OK for them to take people through your place while you're still living there? We got a letter in the mail the other day basically TELLING us that they would be taking prospective renters through (the very next day) and we were asked to not have our dog there so that there wouldn't be problems. This was a bit of an issue for us, when people work and such how can you expect them to find a dog sitter on such short notice or even to take the day off. Plus if we hadn't gotten the letter they would've just been walking through our house without us knowing..or just showing up.
I'm just curious, is this even legal? Do you think they have the right to show people through while we're living here? I'm a bit new to all of this so any opinions or facts would be appreciated. Thanks guys
10 people like this
35 responses
@roque20 (518)
• Philippines
18 Feb 07
the renters must give a notice a months ahead before they were leaving the house because the landlords will advertice then they're boarding house or apartments that there is an available unit so that it would be fair for the renters and the landlord. what do u think?
@Kowgirl (3490)
• United States
18 Feb 07
There are laws that cover renters. Please look into these laws in your state
as not all are the same.
I was a manager of an apartment complex for years and we were NOT allowed to
show an apartment while the people were still living in it even if they were
moving out soon. Most apartments have models they show prospective tenants.
There are different laws that cover renters who rent homes.
Landlords in Florida can not enter the premises without consent except in an emergency.
1 person likes this
@MySpot (2600)
• United States
26 Feb 07
She's right, the laws may differ from state to state... you should check.
@edigital (2709)
• United States
18 Feb 07
I am a landlord but not your country. Our country's rule if any tenant give notice for leaving flat or house then landlord fasten a "To-Let" bill borad at the house or give add in internet or newspaper describing number of rooms, facilities, problems etc. when a new tenant intend to take rent he/she must see inside the house and it is done with full consent of current tenant who still live in the flat or house. Without their presence none can enter into their rented flat or house and it should not. Thus we make a time and the new tenant visit in present of landlord and members of the faimily who is current tenant thus no problem arise in our country.
@SageMother (2277)
• United States
18 Feb 07
They can show the unit while you are still living there. YOu don't have to make it easy though. YOu can not clean up, you can leave a ring around the bathtub. LIttle things like that will have an effect. If the law in your area states that after a certain amount of time ahas past they cannot charge you for repairs, you can make a few changies that would delay the landlord's ability to rent. Just be sure they are not so huge that they would give you a bad referral if you need one.
@chargoans (939)
• United States
18 Feb 07
I'm sure they wouldn't expect the dog to be there when they legally show the unit to prospective tenants, but they cannot actually do anything to you if the dog is there (unless it bites someone!). If the prospective renters are allergic to dogs, and the dog is there and their conditions flare up, there is nothing that can be done to you.
It would be kind to your landlord and explain to them that you would prefer not to make arrangements for the dog, that you would prefer to shut the dog up in one of the rooms with a closed door. Therefore, they would be fairly warned where interaction with the dog would be found.
@limosonia1 (1559)
• United States
18 Feb 07
Unfortunatly it is legal for them to do it. Since you gave notice. But they shouldn't expect you to remove your dog. They should be making plans around your schedule if they know you have a pet. I would call them and let them know that their is noway you can remove your dog during work hours but that you are willing to work with them when you are home and would go for a walk or something with the dog while they show your place.
@meetchristians (2)
• Canada
18 Feb 07
I don't know how the law is where you are but here in BC as long as they give you 24 hours written notice they can take prospective tenants through.
1 person likes this
@sylviekitty (2083)
• United States
18 Feb 07
I used to be a property manager of a very small building. We had 32 apartments, I believe. I had an obligation to keep the apartments rented, and when I knew a vacancy was coming up, I would try (if at all possible) to show a vacant apartment. But that was not always possible. And so if a person was particularly neat, I would show their apartment (with their permission). If they did not want me to show it, I would wait til it was vacant, and hopefully cleaned.
As a renter, though, I have seen in my rental agreement that after giving 30-day notice, I would be giving them permission to show my apartment. However, I don't recall any manager ever showing my unit to somebody. I think they probably worked the same way I did when I was a manager- using a vacant apt (or "model" apartment) if at all possible.
@Melizzy (1381)
• United States
18 Feb 07
Hate to tell you, but all they have to do is give you notice that they will be in your apartment. I have been both a renter and a landlord. So yes, it is legal. You might want to request that they not have anybody in until you are there so the dogs aren't an issue. Or baby gate the dog in the bathroom.
You really should have been given more notice than that if you have dogs, but legally, 24 hours is the standard.
@paradisesuns (1754)
• United States
23 Mar 07
There are landlord/tenant laws.And 9 times out of 10 they favor and protect the tenant.If you can check your state landlord/tenat laws, they should have a booklet they can give you.Usually a landlord can not show the place without 24 to 48 hour notice.They can not legally just show up at your door and expect to come in.If anyone does, it is perfectly legal for you to tell them to get lost.(pm me if you want some help looking up the landlord/tenat laws)
@crimsonblues (1191)
• United States
18 Feb 07
Its legal if they have your permission. You can refuse.
@Jshean20 (14348)
• Canada
18 Feb 07
well they wrote us a letter basically telling us they were coming and not to have the dog here..so I think they would've just walked right through here without even getting permission from us. Luckily we were home and the prospective renters ended up canceling the appointment...it still makes me wonder though.
@Gemmygirl1 (2867)
• Australia
25 Mar 07
Unfortunately it is legal coz they need someone to move in right away - however, here in Australia, the landlord MUST give you 48 hours notice if they plan to enter the property. Also, i don't think they can ask you to remove your pets, coz that's a bit inconsiderate.
However, you do have the right to say no to them coming & you can select the day which is best for you - say a weekend when you can take your dog out, don't have to work etc!
Good luck!
@WyldPnut (74)
• United States
22 Mar 07
I don't think this is legal. What if your jewelry or other items came up missing that day? Is the landlord responsible? This is just my opinion but I believe this should be shown at your convenience as you are still living there. I would be quite uncomfortable knowing strangers had been walked through my home and may have been mentally inventorying items so as to return later and rob me. I think I would want to be there and meet those that enter.And since the landlord requests that your dog not be there is he/she offering to pay for boarding somewhere else? I mean they obviously know you have a dog and have allowed in to live there. They may have even charged you a pet deposit so the dog is in it's own home. You have no need of a dog sitter except to accommodate your landlords request.
@sharon613 (2321)
• United States
18 Feb 07
This sounds like its not legal and you should definately get in contact with Legal Aid. Were in a simular situation. We are hoping to find an apartment for my two middle kids on account of them not coming with us to Israel when we finally move over there. The landlord has a contractor here and gives us last minute notice to move our things out of the rooms. We don't pay him on time but somehow come up with the rent money within the month. He insists that we pay him or try to pay him the first of the month.
@babystar1 (4233)
• United States
18 Feb 07
It is legal for them to do it,as long as they give you a notice and let you no, when they are going to show the house.The landlord can also tell you to keep your dog out of sight.But I dont think its right to take your dog out of the house. Mybe you can just put the dog outside untill the landlord is done showing the house.Yes I would want to be home to if someone goes through my home.
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
18 Feb 07
If the landlord has your permission to allow people in to view the property, then it's ok. If you have not given permission then what the landlord is doing is wrong. Obviously the landlord needs to be able to show prospective tenants around the property but with prior consent and possibly with an agreed time, it makes the whole thing more amicable.
