Reasonable?

[ottawarentals]

Exuse me if this comes across as me being niave... I am new to being a landlord and don`t know all the procedures, etc...

One of my tenants has contacted me today to ask if I have a spare key so I can go and let in his friend to water his plants and pickup his mail? He claims he is away tending to family things and is in a bind.

I personnally feel that its not my problem and that this is beyond my responsibility for providing a service to my tenant. It will take time out of my day to tend to this. Time = $$

Agree or should I just let his friend in? Are there any liabilities to allowing an unkown to enter? I can imagine there are...

All opinions appreciated!

 

[MikeSunley]

I have it in my lease that if I have to visit to let someone in there will be a $150 charge. I haven`t tested it in court but I get them to initial it on the lease and I`ve been paid 2-3 times.

I would think that if you can get the request in writing you should be ok legally; also, you could consider making a copy of the key and having the friend pick up the copy to save you time. If you have to let them in, watch everything they do and don`t let them take anything but be careful with this as you are setting a precedent.

-Mike

 

[gwasser]

Although it is annoying, I guess you should be happy your tenant did not make spare keys of your unit by himself. I think it is good policy to offer your tenant a set of spare keys in return for a charge ($25) or deposit ($50). Several condo managers doi the same for access keys to the buildings they manage.

I would inform your tenant that you will deliver a set this time (but he owes your the deposit) because of your `standard policy` to supply spare keys in return for a deposit. However, in the future he is responsible for ensure that `house-sitters` have access when he is out of town.

This way you provide service but ensure it does not become a habit.

Just my personal thoughts.

 

[terri]

get an extra key cut and let your tenant know that their friend can pick it up from you. You don`t need to go out of your way to meet them there and let them in. I wouldn`t charge them and I wouldn`t refuse. I`m sure if they knew they were going to be out of town this long, they would have made arrangements to get their friend a key themselves.
Sometimes it`s the small extra things that you do that make the difference.

 

[housedoc]

QUOTE (ottawarentals @ Oct 16 2009, 11:36 AM) Exuse me if this comes across as me being niave... I am new to being a landlord and don`t know all the procedures, etc...One of my tenants has contacted me today to ask if I have a spare key so I can go and let in his friend to water his plants and pickup his mail? He claims he is away tending to family things and is in a bind.

I personnally feel that its not my problem and that this is beyond my responsibility for providing a service to my tenant. It will take time out of my day to tend to this. Time = $$

Agree or should I just let his friend in? Are there any liabilities to allowing an unkown to enter? I can imagine there are...

All opinions appreciated!

What kind of landlord do you want to be?
You`re right. It`s not your problem.

OR

1) If it`s easy for you to do, drop a key (hidden) at the property and tell only your tenant where it is.
Charge a reasonable fee for the service.

2) If you have to go meet someone to let them in, and wait while they water the plants etc. you should charge them much more for that service.

I would not give anyone else a key. You will be responsible if anything goes "missing".