Tenant wants me to wait 2 weeks before I can show an apartment.

Boston, MA · Member since 2018 · 46 posts · 9 votes

Hi, my first tenant decided to move out at the end of her lease. According to lease agreement I can bring prospective renters with a 24 hour notice. I asked her today to make showing on Saturday, (6 days in advance) got response that she is too busy and can do it in 2 weeks. She is a good tenant, but obviously she doesn't care about my needs. I have 14 people waiting to see an apartment, and with lease start on June 1st, they most likely won't wait for 2 weeks. What would experienced landlords recommend to do?

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Nathan GesnerBusiness Member

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Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes

Quote from @Elena Pech:

1. Her lease doesn't end until May 31, which is almost two months away. Why are you advertising so early?

2. You have 14 people waiting to see the rental two months before it's available. That's a clear sign that it's priced too low.

3. Set a policy, include it in the lease agreement, then stick to it. My policy is that Tenant must allow showings with 24 hours notice during their last 30 days of occupancy. If they don't allow showings, then I can charge them rent for any delays caused by them. If the Tenant tells me they don't want showings for two weeks, then I can charge them an additional two weeks of rent.

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Zane Cress
Realtor · Athens, GA · Member since 2023 · 201 posts · 104 votes
3y
You gave notice, that's what the lease says you have to do. She has to accept notice. You got keys, go show the place and get someone else locked in. Just be careful if she has loose pets running around. She may also leave it in a messy condition which could deter some people.
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Theresa HarrisPro Member
Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
3y
tell her you are grouping them together and will be present for all showings and give her the times. She doesn't need to be around.
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Elena Pech
OP
Boston, MA · Member since 2018 · 46 posts · 9 votes
3y
Quote from @Theresa Harris:

tell her you are grouping them together and will be present for all showings and give her the times. She doesn't need to be around.

That's what I asked, but she wants me to come in 2 weeks
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Elena Pech
OP
Boston, MA · Member since 2018 · 46 posts · 9 votes
3y
Quote from @Zane Cress:

You gave notice, that's what the lease says you have to do. She has to accept notice. You got keys, go show the place and get someone else locked in. Just be careful if she has loose pets running around. She may also leave it in a messy condition which could deter some people.

Well, yes, it will definitely be a mess, if it will be done this way. Thought that there are better ways to deal with it.
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Theresa HarrisPro Member
Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
3y
Quote from @Elena Pech:

Quote from @Theresa Harris:

tell her you are grouping them together and will be present for all showings and give her the times. She doesn't need to be around.

That's what I asked, but she wants me to come in 2 weeks

Tell her that doesn't work for you.
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Edward Zachary Samperio
New to Real Estate · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2021 · 110 posts · 58 votes
3y
It's understandable that you want to show the property to prospective renters as soon as possible to minimize vacancy time, but it's also important to respect your tenant's right to privacy and quiet enjoyment of the property.

One option is to try to negotiate a compromise with your tenant. Perhaps you could offer to show the property at a time that is more convenient for her, such as in the evenings or on a weekday when she's not as busy. You could also offer some kind of incentive or compensation, such as a discount on rent for the month or a gift card to a local restaurant or store.

If your tenant is still unwilling to allow showings within a reasonable timeframe, you could try to find a new tenant without showing the property. You could use virtual tours or video walkthroughs to showcase the property and offer to answer any questions over the phone or email. This may not be as effective as in-person showings, but it could still help you find a new tenant.

Ultimately, if your tenant continues to refuse showings and you are unable to find a new tenant without showing the property, you may need to seek legal advice on how to proceed.
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Richard F.
Honolulu, HI · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
3y
Quote from @Edward Zachary Samperio:

It's understandable that you want to show the property to prospective renters as soon as possible to minimize vacancy time, but it's also important to respect your tenant's right to privacy and quiet enjoyment of the property.

Ultimately, if your tenant continues to refuse showings and you are unable to find a new tenant without showing the property, you may need to seek legal advice on how to proceed.
Aloha,

That will most certainly cost more than the vacancy. Also, you do not want to deal with accusations of "missing" items. I never show an occupied unit. There also is a double penalty if you commit to renting to new tenant on specific date, and then are not able to complete needed work and/or the tenant does not make it out on time. None of this is worth the gamble.
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Bill B.
Investor · Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 10k+ votes
3y
I am/would be on your side that you have the right to show it when you want with proper notice. But is April 15th really bad for a June 1st move in? That’s really early to me, April 1st for a June 1st move in seems silly.
It has to be almost as likely you accept someone and they keep looking or their life changes and they never move in after you told everyone else they didn’t get the property.
Pick your battles. If you think a messy place April 10th will attract more tenants than a clean place april 15th, that’s your call. If you’re going to march a bunch of people through make SURE each person is escorted so when they Picasso or their Rolex goes missing you know your perspective tenants didn’t take it.
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Dan H.Pro Member
Investor · Poway, CA · Member since 2015 · 7k+ posts · 8k+ votes
3y
Did you explain to the tenant that the lease allows you to show the unit with only 24 hours notice?
I would explain that two weeks does not work for you, but I would try to work out a compromise with your tenant. This is because you desire the unit to be clean when showing the unit. Work on a compromise that is acceptable for both you and the tenant. This will allow you to show a clean unit that is being shown to prospective tenants which will help you obtain a qualified applicant.
Good luck
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Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
Moderator
Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
3y
Quote from @Elena Pech:

1. Her lease doesn't end until May 31, which is almost two months away. Why are you advertising so early?
2. You have 14 people waiting to see the rental two months before it's available. That's a clear sign that it's priced too low.
3. Set a policy, include it in the lease agreement, then stick to it. My policy is that Tenant must allow showings with 24 hours notice during their last 30 days of occupancy. If they don't allow showings, then I can charge them rent for any delays caused by them. If the Tenant tells me they don't want showings for two weeks, then I can charge them an additional two weeks of rent.
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John UnderwoodPro Member
Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
3y
Quote from @Zane Cress:

You gave notice, that's what the lease says you have to do. She has to accept notice. You got keys, go show the place and get someone else locked in. Just be careful if she has loose pets running around. She may also leave it in a messy condition which could deter some people.
I fully agree.
Just give her notice when your doing showings. Be respectful and don't do it every day. Set up a bunch of showings on the same day.
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Patricia Steiner
Real Estate Broker · Hyde Park Tampa, FL · Member since 2019 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
3y
Choose two days in a two hour window that you will be doing showings and let her know that you will need to proceed; point out that this is provided within her lease and that you are arranging the showings to limit any inconvenience. The tenant doesn't have the right to hold your property and future cash flow hostage. That 'good tenant' is a goner.
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Keenan Fitzpatrick
Flipper/Rehabber · Anchorage, AK · Member since 2017 · 223 posts · 177 votes
3y
Try to work with her and pick a day/s when showings can be done. Schedule by batches.
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James Hamling
Real Estate Broker · Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2011 · 5k+ posts · 6k+ votes
3y
@Elena Pech yes, you can put down the iron fist and force entry, but why. There is a simple path.
Tell tenant that your willing to work with them but that means you need 1hr together to do a nice walk through video of the place, and make sure they can have it looking best possible for that. If no, then ok, lease says ___ so I am just going to give notice for those showings.
Most will jump on video option. You do a simple, nice video walk-through, and that's what you share with prospective tenants. That way all can do a "virtual" tour, and for the approved "winning" applicant, they get a in-person showing to confirm acceptance. For tenant that means 1 in-person showing vs 14+.
Lay it out as options to tenant. They can work with you for this limited impact plan, just help you to help them, have place looking great for both. OR, we just go by lease and it will be notice of entry and if she blocks it there will be financial repercussions. Put it on tenant.
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Edward Zachary Samperio
New to Real Estate · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2021 · 110 posts · 58 votes
3y
Quote from @Richard F.:

Quote from @Edward Zachary Samperio:

It's understandable that you want to show the property to prospective renters as soon as possible to minimize vacancy time, but it's also important to respect your tenant's right to privacy and quiet enjoyment of the property.

Ultimately, if your tenant continues to refuse showings and you are unable to find a new tenant without showing the property, you may need to seek legal advice on how to proceed.
Aloha,

That will most certainly cost more than the vacancy. Also, you do not want to deal with accusations of "missing" items. I never show an occupied unit. There also is a double penalty if you commit to renting to new tenant on specific date, and then are not able to complete needed work and/or the tenant does not make it out on time. None of this is worth the gamble.
I agree with the points made in the previous response. Showing an occupied unit can be difficult and can create unnecessary stress for both the tenant and the landlord. In this situation, you could try to work with your tenant to find a time that works for both of you, or consider offering an incentive for them to be flexible with showing times. Another option could be to temporarily reduce the rent for the time it takes to show the unit, as an incentive for the tenant to cooperate. It's important to remember to communicate clearly and respectfully with your tenant and to try to find a solution that works for everyone involved.

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Greg M.
Rental Property Investor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 5k+ votes
3y
I would wait the 2 weeks, but not for the reasons other have said. Showing units 6 weeks before they are available works well for me. Most people need to give 30 days notice to their current landlord, so two weeks to find a place + 30 days notice = 6 weeks.
I always show units before the current tenant has left. Every day a unit is not rented costs me $75-$125. I can worry about the current tenant (AKA ex-customer) being unhappy, I can worry about (a few of the 20) prospective tenants not having vision to see the place cleaned up and not applying, or I can lose $75-$125 each day by waiting to show the unit until the current tenant is gone.
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