Unit for rent...but tenant won't allow access because of covid19

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Unit for rent...but tenant won't allow access because of covid19

Account Closed
Real Estate Broker · Columbus, OH · Member since 2019 · 119 posts · 151 votes

I have a unit opening on May 1 and we have just listed it for rent. The tenant would not allow us in to take pictures or videos and sent me a message that said she does not want anyone in her unit before she moves out because of fear of contracting the virus. I completely understand her position, but obviously I'd like to rent the unit (and it's pretty difficult to rent without the person seeing it via video or an in-person walk-thru). These are obviously uncharted waters, and I want to be respectful to my tenants (and keep them safe) while also getting my unit rented. 

Anyone run into this problem yet? Any tips or suggestions? Comments like, "screw your tenant, you can enter with 24 hours notice," are not what I'm looking for. Looking to find some middle ground with tenants. Thanks!

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JD MartinBusiness Member
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Rock Star Extraordinaire · Northeast, TN · Member since 2015 · 10k+ posts · 17k+ votes
6y

In general, we have never had any success with a tenant still in the unit as compared to when the unit was vacant. Most tenants who are moving have the place looking like a slob haven anyway, and you get to use the turnover as an opportunity to make repairs and deal with any maintenance issues. We have shown, and rented, units with tenants still in but I don't see it as ideal.

Considering the pandemic issue, I would give your tenant some leeway here. I don't think their fear of bringing strangers into their home is unfounded. Wait until she vacates; these are strange times. 

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  • Rebecca Bautista
    New to Real Estate · Clarksville TN · Member since 2020 · 19 posts · 12 votes
    6y

    @Jeff Tyndall

    How tech savvy is your tenant? Perhaps offer an incentive for her to provide you pictures or allow for a video conference to capture a quick walk thru.

    4Reply
  • JD MartinBusiness Member
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    Rock Star Extraordinaire · Northeast, TN · Member since 2015 · 10k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    6y

    In general, we have never had any success with a tenant still in the unit as compared to when the unit was vacant. Most tenants who are moving have the place looking like a slob haven anyway, and you get to use the turnover as an opportunity to make repairs and deal with any maintenance issues. We have shown, and rented, units with tenants still in but I don't see it as ideal.

    Considering the pandemic issue, I would give your tenant some leeway here. I don't think their fear of bringing strangers into their home is unfounded. Wait until she vacates; these are strange times. 

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  • Russell BrazilBusiness Member
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    Real Estate Agent · Washington, D.C. · Member since 2012 · 17k+ posts · 30k+ votes
    6y

    Just going to have to suck it up. As things stand today, its a perfectly reasonable demand by the tenant to not allow anyone into their home. 

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  • Frank Chin
    Investor · Bayside, NY · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    6y

    Given the current situation, fear of the Coronavirus is a legitimate concern. Looking at the bigger picture, many small businesses are in danger of closing up, millions losing their jobs, and what you have is losing 30 days time, and possibly a months rent.

    I remember I evicted a tenant some years ago, the court gave him time. He suffered through another episode of depression and didn't bath, showered, shaved or got haircuts for months. But I was stubborn in showing the place and he reluctantly agreed. Had an agent doing showings for 2 months, and finally the agent told me it's a total waste of his time. Tenant's dirty clothes are all over the floor, people got to step over it, smelly dishes in the sink for weeks, and people had to hold their noses to see the place in addition to seeing my filthy tenant with his foot long beard. I agreed not to show it any more.

    Finally, he left, had the place cleaned and painted in a week, had a open house, and rented in a day. Thinking back, I was kicking myself for putting people through the horror of viewing the place.

    I had other tenants which I forced to permit showings, particularly those that cannot be at home, and they reported things stolen. One reluctant tenant who was a cop insisted he had to be there during showings, took a week off work, wore his gun in a holster, cleaning the house in a women's apron while we conducted showings. He had a week old new born and worried someone would harm the infant. Many people looking at the place freaked out seeing someone wearing a gun.

    With these experiences, I no longer tell tenants, "sorry, I can show the place with 24 hours notice according to the lease". In the back of my mind, I freaked people out, and might have lost some good potential renters. I rent the place out fast enough anyway without all the drama.

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  • Colleen F.Pro Member
    Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    6y

    Do you have previous pictures you could use? This will decrease your relying on her for the marketing photos.  I appreciate her not wanting people trooping through but if you could market it that might help  provided interested parties ready to see on vacancy.   Also find out when she will be no longer living there, sometimes people build in some moving time prior to official move out date and you could negotiation something then even if its not a firm commitment on her part.  Something like if you find yourself moved out sooner and you let me know I will do xyz for you.  Good luck

    1Reply
  • Anthony Wick
    Rental Property Investor · Ankeny, IA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    6y

    @Jeff Tyndall

    An excellent question, and a reasonable situation that many of us may have to deal with soon. After some discussion this morning, we are thinking that we may have to expect up to a month vacancy on any unit that’s turning over. We would normally attempt to show while tenants are living there, but times are obviously different right now.

    We also want to protect ourselves, in addition to our tenants and potential tenants. We cannot just let a potential tenant into a unit while it is still occupied, but we also don’t want to be shoulder to shoulder with potential tenants while showing them around (and making sure our current tenants property is protected).

    We will probably be waiting for the unit to be vacant, make sure it is disinfected, and then have showings. And we will schedule one showing at a time, and probably meet the potential future tenants outside, and let them tour the empty unit on their own. Then be available to answer any questions as they exit.

    I would be interested in hearing how everybody else is handling showings. As of now, we do not have any empty units.

    0Reply
  • Carmichael Lewis
    Chicago · Member since 2019 · 75 posts · 49 votes
    6y

    @Jeff Tyndall I agree with everyone. This is a different circumstance we are dealing with. I lost a month rent as well, but as investors that's nothing. What if tenant decides to stay and not pay for the next 3 months. Its great that they are leaving. But dont be surprised if they decide to stay, given the fact that they are familiar with this home and they know its COVID 19 free. As opposed to moving elsewhere to a unknown environment. Like Rebecca said offer a incentive for taken pictures. I.e $100 gift card. 

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  • Account Closed
    OP
    Real Estate Broker · Columbus, OH · Member since 2019 · 119 posts · 151 votes
    6y

    These are great responses. Thank you all for taking the time to respond--very helpful!

    0Reply
  • Antea Alexander
    Rental Property Investor · Member since 2020 · 15 posts · 3 votes
    6y

    @Jeff Tyndall As a healthcare professional your tenants concerns are legitimate. Don't push the issue! If your property is in Massachusetts the tenant may find a way to sue you, and win. Also...who is willing to move during this pandemic? The best thing to do is wait for them to move out. You don't want to upset them and they decide to stay and you can't evict them right now. Just be patient and show the place in May. This doesn't sound like it will end well if you insist on showing the place during these difficult times.

    1Reply
  • Lien VuongBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Boston, MA · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    6y

    You cannot just enter their unit in this situation because of public health so your last resort is moot. I had a tenant call the Board of Health in the city because she felt that the agent was forcing her to endanger her health for a showing. The best and most respectful to go about this would be to request for her pictures and a video of the unit and phrase is as such that we do not want to interrupt her and compromise her health. 

    You will at this point have to accept some sort of short term vacancy 1-15 days during the gap of the move in as new tenant will want a deep cleaning and thorough sanitation before to move in anyways. You can claim this loss and there's programs that will help you with this financial loss. 

    Remember business is important but you have to respect people's space and safety. 

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  • Account Closed
    OP
    Real Estate Broker · Columbus, OH · Member since 2019 · 119 posts · 151 votes
    6y

    @Antea Alexander @Lien Vuong Thanks for the replies! Totally agree. As I said in my original post, I definitely don't want to put my tenants in any compromising position. My units are in A areas in Columbus, OH and @Antea, since posting one of my units 24 hours ago, I have had 7 inquiries--so people are definitely willing to move (even in a pandemic), I'm just looking for creative ways to make everyone happy and keep everyone safe. I have never had to evict any tenant in the 8 years I've been investing, and I certainly don't plan to start that now as that would not be a winning situation for anyone. It's a weird time, but as property owners, we must be creative to try to have as little vacancy as possible. Again, I'm not going to compromise the health of my tenants or put them in any situation that they don't feel comfortable with, but I'm not going to settle for extended vacancy if I don't have to, therefore, I'm looking for creative ideas to close the gap so everyone wins.

    2Reply
  • Zeke Liston
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    6y

    I would agree with @Rebecca Bautista, having the tenants take the videos and pictures might be a good option @Account Closed. 

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