Is it wrong to walk the grounds of a property that is on sale without appointments?

Question

I found a triplex that is on the market for a couple months now and I just went to walk the grounds earlier (owner told me to go ahead) and basically got chewed out by all the tenants there. Not sure if that is a bad sign but they told me to make an appointment and that I shouldn't just be walking on private property and snooping around.  All i did was basically walked on the drive way and towards the back to view all the units. Didn't open any gates and just stayed on the driveway path which goes all the way to the back. Honestly it left a bad taste in mouth if i were to get this property and that is how my relationship starts with them.  It could be because it was a little late right before sunset around 8pm. I know it is not really a big deal but how else are buyers able to see what they are getting before going into contract and most of these tenant occupied buildings only allow to view inside after offer accepted.

Jonathan Taylor Smith · Answer

@David P. - Well, part of what a tenant is entitled to when they lease a property is the "quiet enjoyment" of that property. Technically, you violated that (and so did the owner) by telling you to just walk the property without a scheduled appointment - unless the owner had arranged for such disturbances with the tenants. It may be petty for the tenants to hassle you if they know the property is for sale, but a courtesy that I employ when selling an occupied property is to inform residents that while we'll try to conduct all showings (exterior and interior) on set days during a certain time window - sometimes person's may stop by and walk the property without my advance knowledge. But just consider that it can be discomforting to have random strangers walking near your vehicle(s), windows, etc... And they can feel somewhat powerless and violated by the encounter. You also don't know how frequently this is happening that they might be well justified in being upset by it.

Seth McGathey · Answer

As Jonathan said, technically the landlord should have notified the tenants. It is both curtesy and usually legally necessary. If he didn't, that is his fault.

Second thing to consider. It is not uncommon for tenants to dislike the idea of the property being sold. They have a contract with someone, the new buyer is a complete unknown. They don't know if this new landlord is going to be a jerk, controlling, a creep, and worst of all they can almost guarantee their rent will go up at the next legal opportunity. And there is a chance the new owner might kick them out for no reason except they don't like hold over tenants. So unless they really hate their current landlord, they have no reason to like the idea of the property being sold. So give them a little grace, because they are in a sucky situation.

When I have met existing tenants in the past, I have made a point of being friendly and letting them know, honestly, that I don't intend to kick anyone out as long as everything is in order. Also, if their unit is well kept, I tend to complement them on how nice they keep it and mention how great as a landlord it is to see tenants that are so clean and respectful. It has worked well to start off with a good relationship if I do end up buying.

Seth McGathey · Answer

@James McGovern that seems like a strange thing to say. You can walk it, when it is within your legal rights. But they have rights too. And why do anything without regard for other people? Even if you have complete legal right to walk it, why not still do that with regard for the tenants?

Unless I am misunderstanding what you are trying to say.

Theresa Harris · Answer

How would you feel if you were living in a house and you had strangers walking on your property?  The tenants should get notice (24 hours) and set up a viewing.  No one is saying not to walk the property or units, but to do so with the tenants knowing.

Marc Winter · Answer

Or another method--you might try knocking their door and introducing yourself. "The owner said ok to see outside", and out of courtesy, you just wanted to let them know you'll be looking around.

Meet them like that and you'll have a better idea of what they are really like.  Smile!

David P. · Answer

One note in this case the listing agent is actually the owner too. He gave me the okay go walk around and check it out. One of the tenants was friendly and just asked what I was doing there and we just carried on a conversation. Another tenant appeared to been drinking with a cocktail in her hand and went off on me.

At first I thought this was not good and made me second guess if i want to still pursue the property but then I put myself in their shoe and if saw random strangers walking around and if that was right or legal on private property. I guess when purchasing these tenant occupied building really the only thing you can do is drive by and view from the curb since its so rare to get a showing unless offer accepted.

James McGovern · Answer

If I am going to spend my money acquiring a property I will walk it without regard for tenants or other people

Jill F. · Answer

It kind of depends on the leases. If the properties are leased with 'common areas' that tenants do not have exclusive rights to use (and where the property manager/owner would generally also have rights for him and his invitees, vendors etc., to access) then it should not be 'wrong' (against the law) with the owners permission. However If these are single family or other properties where there is no common area and the lot is also leased to a tenant solely for his use, then the owner would generally be required to give the tenant notice before entering according to the local law and lease. If you accessed only common areas, notice was probably not legally required but it was not courteous of the owner not to notify the tenants that he might have guests walking the commons-- and it also sounds like the tenant responded rudely but a rude seller and/or a rude tenant doesn't change the value of the property; if it's a good deal I wouldn't worry about that.

Caleb Brown · Answer

I would be freaked out too if I was the tenant. It's not your fault though, owner/manager gave you the go ahead. If I drive by and scope out a place I usually don't go far off the sidewalk, not worth scaring the occupants. If you offer just have verbiage about viewing all units prior till the inspection period starting and delivering EMD

Is it wrong to walk the grounds of a property that is on sale without appointments?

Most Popular Reply