Tenant denies access for viewings - Landlord Forum thread 317429

Tenant denies access for viewings by Anonymous on April 13, 2014 @17:33

I'm in Chicago, IL. , owner occupied building of less than 6 units. I've served notice to one of my tenants that I will not be renewing their lease that expires 5/31/14. ( If you must know the reason it's because I think the guy in the couple is creepy. He has behaved in hostile, belligerent fashion).

Anyway, their lease clearly states that I have access in order to show the apartment to prospective tenants but they refuse all requests for access by insisting that they have to be there and then refusing to be there. They also send abusive messages to my phone and leave dog waste lying around. What can I do to compell them to comply with the terms of their lease?

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Re: Tenant denies access for viewings by Garry (Iowa) on April 13, 2014 @18:09	[ Reply ]

There is absolutely NO way you can compel them to comply with letting you show the place. You are kicking them out in 45 days, BECAUSE he is hostile to everyone. Do not waste your money or your time in advertising the unit till they are COMPLETELY out, and you have changed locks. Do not contact them in any way till June 1 to see if they are out. If they're not, start eviction procedures according to Ill. state law. The more you contact them now, the more hostile they will be towards you. That could mean they could totally TRASH the place for you, which could cost you thousands of $s. The unit may be partly trashed out now, and you don't want to show a unit in that condition. Waiting is hard to do, but in this case, you need to do just that.

Re: Tenant denies access for viewings by MaineLL (Maine) on April 13, 2014 @21:34	[ Reply ]

Sometimes it's easier just to wait until the tenant moves out. Stinks to lose the time, but you don't want to aggravate him further and cause him to damage your property.on his way out. That could be much more costly than having a few weeks vacancy.

Re: Tenant denies access for viewings by Anonymous on April 14, 2014 @03:02	[ Reply ]

Give them a 24 Hour Notice that you are showing the place. Make sure it's during reasonable hours. If they can't be there, that's not your problem.

Re: Tenant denies access for viewings by Katiekate (New York) on April 14, 2014 @07:51	[ Reply ]

You can force this issue. BUT, since you already have a hostile tenant..you can reasonable expect much more belligerence. You can force it, but this tenant will likely make a mission of making sure any prospect runs away. Probably not going to help you get the place rented anyway. But, you can force the issue: Just post a notice of entry...say for tomorrow after noon. Then go there. Take someone with you. Attempt to enter. When denied...post a lease violation along with a "quit or cure". State in the 'q or p' that would will be back to enter in 3 days....failure to cease this behavior will result in you filing for eviction proceedings. (I usually include a letter on "eviction ramifications"). This will likely fix the problem of getting in....BUT..expect this hostile tenant to actively work at making you and the place look as bad as they can with any prospect you bring around. He will tell your prospects that the place is falling apart and you are a slumlord.

Re: Tenant denies access for viewings

Re: Tenant denies access for viewings by Bob on April 15, 2014 @16:26	[ Reply ]

There is not one of us who reads this and wishes that we could tell you a trick or a secret, but he truth is that there really is no way to force them to comply.