I own a duplex and I live on the first floor and rent out the second floor. My tenants has two people staying with her, and they are constantly knocking and asking to be let inside the upstairs. Tonight it escalated and one locked out the other and so they came to me and put me in the middle of it all. I want to be done letting them in. Anyone have any advice for me, please?
Investor · Zürich, Zürich · Member since 2016 · 292 posts · 115 votes
10y
I don't even understand how it got so far?? Why on planet earth would they think that you would be able (and not to mention: willing) to let them into their place which they occupy and to which you normally do not have access unless you give prior notice and whatnot? And since your tenant is apparently unable to provide them with a key or otherwise organize access to the place by, you know, maybe being present when they want to enter, my first (one-time!) stop would have been your tenant with a nice and clear statement along the lines of "are you f... kidding me??? This happens one more time and you all are out of here!".
Some people are just unbelievable. And if they don't get it then give them notice. And certainly don't let them in anymore! Not your problem if they can't get their act together.
Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
10y
You've gotten convenient. Talk to the tenant and deliver notice this a.m. $50 cash each opening, no opening without payment and/or they call a locksmith. And if they change the lock you charge. Explain to her that while things happen you are not a doorman and you expect to have the quiet enjoyment of your apartment and this is to insure that you do. Make it clear you really not interested in the fees but rather in the behavior stopping. What are people doing there that aren't the tenant anyway? Alternately you can charge her to install a keyless push button lock but I suspect if these are temporary visitors and they you have to change the codes later. (personally if they are locking each other out and you are in the middle of it just tell her to get them out of the apartment permanently).
As with most landlord issues you have created the problem and only you can fix it.
IF the people staying with your tenant are not themselves tenants then, as a landlord, what you are doing is illegal. You may let tenants in but as a landlord you must give notice to your tenant in advance to open a tenant door for any other reason.
Your tenant can hold you liable if she decides at any point that she does not want them in.
Tell them either you will no longer do it or get a letter of authorisation from your tenant and charge a fee every time. In addition set out the hours of the day that you are available to let them in. Make it difficult and expensive if you want it to stop or simply stop doing it. They are not your responsibility.
Thank you all for your advice. When purchasing this property is had no intention of being a landlord. I went in on the place with a friend, but things happened and I bought her out. I rent out now to stay afloat and pay the mortgage and bills.
My tenant, the one on the lease is a nice older lady, but she let's people take advantage of her, she is an enabler. Her two friends have been nothing but a headache for me. They are a couple, and there have been multiple incidents of domestic violence, police involvement. I tell myself if I can just get the two out things will be better, but I'm wondering if I should just evict them all?
What basic steps should I take? I really can't afford a lawyer. I read about a cash for keys thing, would that be better to do?
I am new to all of this, please forgive my ignorance on the subject. And thank you so much everyone for your help!
Give notice to your tenant that you will evict if she does not get rid of the two. If she complies no problem if she does not legally all you need to do is give notice not to renew her lease if the regulations allow.
Real Estate Agent · Berlin, MA · Member since 2013 · 130 posts · 95 votes
10y
I agree with these comments, don't open the door for anyone but the tenant. If the visitors were locked out, maybe it was intentional by the tenant. Your lease should say something to the affect that the apartment is being rented to the tenant only, only the tenant may occupy the premises, etc and if they violate this then evict them. It would be difficult to evict if the tenant is paying rent on time and this is simply an annoyance to you, but in owner occupied buildings in some States the laws are different so you may have luck. Post a set of "Building Policies" in the common areas, include your office hours, and include the number to a locksmith in case of lockout. Do not yourself provide a hide-a-key or any such device for others to use lest you want trouble with the law when your tenant blames you for the "burglar" who stole her expensive items...
Augusta, GA · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
10y
Your posting is a bit confusing. You write that your tenants is (are) always asking to be let into the apartment but later it appears that the only person on the lease is this older lady and that the other two are only "friends" who are taking advantage of her. These two appear to either be guests or squatters.
Since there have been incidents of domestic violence and police involvement it's time to step in and take care of this matter.
Lie a little. Tell the older lady there have been enough complaints regarding these two that License and Inspections has informed you that they both must go or that you face the possibility of fines for having folks who disrupt the peace and quiet of the neighborhood.
Because on this tell her that if they are not gone by the weekend you would need to begin the process of eviction based on people not listed on your lease (I'm assuming your lease lists who is actually renting the place) residing in your rental unit.
This gets the reason for kicking them out off you and on to the big bad guys and License and Inspections.
Investor · Buffalo, NY · Member since 2016 · 668 posts · 209 votes
10y
Are all these tenants on the lease? They get a key and a bill to replace a lost key. Not on the lease? Sorry but I can't allow a "guest" in without my tenant's permission. I would not be renewing the lease.