The landlord as requested that he show the apartment while we are in the process of moving. He had a couple come out last night and with the kids and everything ,it was VERY awkward. Can they do that? Or can they wait till we are moved out? Also, he's asked me to write a letter, but I'm not sure what about. Is there a typlical letter that I need to write?

Please, if there is also some place to look up the laws and show the landlord so I'm not looking crazy.

Where do you live? Did you give the landlord a 30 day notice that you were moving?

Hello again, goldsmith:

You can find a copy of your states landlord tenant law at the top of this forum on a sticky note.

In general, however, yes, the landlord can show the apartment to prospective tenants. He needs to give you reasonable notice, and you may reasonably decline.

You'll have to tell me more about this letter - like what it's for.

excon

PS> Let's keep the conversation public this time, OK?

Kind of new at this, so sorry. Thanks for the sticky note. He asked me for a letter that he would pick up at the beginning of our last month... Today! I've read about "Statement of Conditions" and a termination of contract letter, but I thought the last one he did and the statement was for before we left when our stuff was out.

You aren't making this letter business clear. What is the letter supposed to be for?

Once you have moved out, you should schedule a walk through with the landlord where you take pictures and mark any repairs that he may have to do. That would then be used to determine how much of your security you get back.

And, as excon said, you have to provide reasonable access to show the apartment. If you don't want to, then he can't rent it and you may have to pay until he does.

Well, he wasn't very clear himself. All he said was he'll be down on the 1 of Aug to collect the letter and before I could ask "what letter?" he hung up. He's hard to get a hold of. I figured tonight I'll ask him when he comes looking for it. But I wanted to cover my bases just in case there is a routine letter I should know about.

As for the showing of the apartment, is 24 hours notice reasonable?

Hello again, goldsmith:

Everything you do now, and should have done from the beginning, should be viewed in the context of how a judge would rule on it. Everything you do (in your life, really), should be geared towards that. That's why documentation is key.

So, screw what HE wants! The only reason you do anything, is to protect YOUR buns - not HIS. Therefore, at this point in time, the only piece of paper that needs to go between the two of you, is your 30 day notice. That is something you already should have done. You didn't. You told him instead. He certainly got the message, and you can show a judge that he did by his actions, if not your notice.

I would send him a letter, though. It would be to make an appointment for a final walkthrough with him. If he doesn't respond, YOU go to the appointment. Take pictures of how you left the place and take one with you holding that day's newspaper with the headlines showing.

Beyond that, the only OTHER piece of paper that needs to be transferred between the two of you, is HIS letter sent to you within your states time limit, with your security deposit, or an explanation of the moneys he spent making repairs.

excon

Thank you so much. You've really been a great help!