Re: Tenant changed locks - Landlord Forum thread 225039

Re: Tenant changed locks by MrDan (Georgia) on June 3, 2011 @12:25

When you gave notice, did you list the time, the reason and who would be entering his home. Even if you gave proper notice, a tenant can still refuse. Forcing your way in can get you in trouble as unlawful entry, trespass, invasion of privacy, harrassment, breach of implied covenant of quiet enjoyment, intensional infliction of emotional distress. Your remedy is eviction, unless you can work out a mutual time and schedule for showing rental. The locks might have been changed along time ago. The question is, why is there a problem between you and your tenant that he denies you entry and you want to force your way in?

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Re: Tenant changed locks by Beatrice (NY) on June 3, 2011 @14:10	[ Reply ]

Yes, I gave him the times that a prospective client would be coming to see the space. He agreed but when I got there, the locks where changed. The reason I have asked him to leave is because of two things. One reason is that he is abusing the utilities. When he is not home, he leaves the thermostat at 85 during the winter and the other reason is because he has been allowing to have a girl and her two kids stay there and has given her access when he is not home.

Re: Tenant changed locks by MrDan (Georgia) on June 3, 2011 @20:44	[ Reply ]

How do you know the thermostat is on 85, are you entering the rental to check. Tenant has right to have vistors as long as it is not excessive. If tenant pays heat, thats his concern, if you pay for heat, it should be in your rent to cover usage or usage pass a certain amount. Again your tenant might have changed locks because you are entering to check his thermostat. Trying to evict over a thermostat setting and vistors sounds a little extreme.

Re: Tenant changed locks by Beatrice (NY) on June 7, 2011 @14:57	[ Reply ]

How I know he had the heat to 85 was because he called me to ask if I had entered his space because a cup was missing. When I went in to help him solve the issue, I noticed the thermostat at 85 and the cup was under the couch. Our agreement states that he must be considerate of utilities. In this case, he was abusing such. This is how I know.