I am a colloege student at UT and currently renting a condo from a landlord in Austin who has put it up for sale. We agreed to let it be shown to prospective buyers. Since it is located downtown, tons of realtors have came by to show. What are the rules concerning the "showing of a property"? Do they HAVE to leave a business card when the tenant is not home? Are there rules/laws that realtors MUST abide by? I came home from spring break to find all the lights on, windows drawn up, AND a (private) halogen bed-side lamp on. As we all know, this can cause a major increase in the electricity bill. Also, on a different occasion, I returned home to find my back door WIDE open. Not just unlocked, but open. Not only could someone have gotten into our apartment and been there when I arrived, but they could have easily stolen my belongings. I requested the names of the realtors who were showing on those dates, but the "head" realtor of which the property is under refused to give them to me. I was told that "There's really nothing you can since nothing was stolen. Plus, how would you know which realtor was responsible?" Do I have grounds to file a complaint? (for the lights, windows, and open door) Would it even be worth my time?---these two instances have angered me greatly. Any input would be greatly appriciated

ballengerb1

Get a very big mean dog that eats realtors for lunch, just kidding but it might work. Call the owner back an remove your permission. Tell him that for security reasons all showing must be done by appointment.

Cvillecpm

You can file with the local Realtor association that the LISTING Realtor office belongs to AND send a copy of your complaint to the unit owner.

The Realtor MLS system controls the use of lockboxes and there is a way for the lockbox owner to determine who showed the property and when by going through the electronic lockbox system.

Put signs on doors, etc. and ASK that lights be turned OFF and doors are LOCKED...the Realtor office should have had them in the listing agreement.