Apartment Inspection… Without Me Present?
Is it allowed for an apartment complex to do random inspections without the tenant being present? I just received a letter from my apartment complex saying they WILL be entering my home on two specific dates during specific times. “You need not be present, as we will be spending only 5 to 10 minutes in each apartment. Due to time constraints we will be unable to make appointments or tell you the exact time we will inspect your apartment.” Is it wrong of me, or does that seem wrong? I am uncomfortable with the fact that they can come into my home anytime they want. And the fact that no other apartments had a notice on their door, as mine had been on mine. The letter later says they just want to inspect the condition of the property… I just moved in less then a month ago… Shouldn’t they have inspected the condition of the apartment before they leased it to another tenant? Does anyone know of a law that stops them from entering my home without me present or anything that helps? Thanks!
Tagged with: Apartment • Inspection • Present • Without
Filed under: home inspection
The complex has every right to enter to inspect as long as they have given proper written notice.
All that is required for notice, is what they have provided - a date and a time frame. This is perfectly legal.
You do not have to be present or give permission for them to enter once they have given notice.
You need not be present, however, they cannot stop you from being present if you want to. You can stay home during the time frame given if you would like.
The laws are actually in the complex management’s favor on this.
They cannot enter any time they want, they must give notice and enter during the date and time frame per the notice.
You have been given a 24 hr notice to enter the apartment. I do however find it strange that you have been there a short time and they are now doing a inspection. Now the notice you have received seems real vague on times. They can not! Do a random inspection without reason. Smoke alarm change of batteries (should of been done before you moved in). Checking for plumbing leaks (should of been done before you moved in). However you will need to find out what your state tenant/landlord laws require on this as each state has different tenant/landlord laws.
i dint know any law but you should contact the owner i just had an inspection in my apartment and the manager took something out of my house so i contacted the owner and made a Police report now they cant enter with out me being home but the best thing you can do is try and stay home on that day or ask why didnt you do your inspection before i moved in look at your lease make sure they are aloud to do that seeing as how you just moved in that makes no sense it sounds fishy just check into it
Are you on Section 8?
Not sure why they would need to inspect it if you weren’t being subsidized in some way.
They only have to give you a 24 hour notice to enter your apartment FOR ANY non-emergency reason.
They own…you rent.
Go buy a place if you don’t want to be disturbed.
It’s not wrong, it’s common. There are tons of reasons why LL have to make inspections…it can be for an appraisal, insurance purposes, maintenance (God forbid if we actually took care of our properties before something goes wrong), to spot check for pets, rodent infestations, there could have been a repair done before you moved in that they need to check, they may need serial numbers off of a new appliance, etc.
They don’t give a rat’s behind if your place is messy, etc.
How do you know no one else had one? Maybe they already got theirs of the door earlier.
Don’t be a difficult tenant…it’s a good way to start off a relationship badly and a good way to get them to be SLOW in handling maintenance calls.
PS: The notice doesn’t have to be written and yes they CAN give two dates and no time.
I have it written into all of my leases that properties are sprayed for bugs every other month on the third Wednesday or Thursday..legally, I don’t have to give an additional notice other than that.
Is this a low income apartment complex or are you on a low income program? When I moved into my last apartment they qualified me for the “Bond Program”, which was a county program in which my rent payment remained under a certain limit in exchange for a subsidy on their mortgage. I didn’t know about this program until the rents in my area increased to the point that my rent topped out at the limit.
Part of this program required the management to inspect my unit periodically, every year, or so.
Like you, I was extremely uncomfortable with them inspecting my apartment when I wasn’t there.
Unfortunately, if they want to inspect your unit, for whatever reason, there’s nothing you can do to stop them. They are required to give you at least 24 hours notice before entering.
It seems strange that they want to inspect so soon after you moved in. I suggest that you ask them why they are inspecting your unit. I also got inspected because they were planning a remodel and wanted to evaluate the condition of the carpets, flooring, cabinets, etc.
In most cases they only need to give you a 24 hour notice. Are you sure they are not trying to sell the property or refinance. That would be a reason for someone else to come in.