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UPhouse · Mar 18, 2007, 12:17 PM

I have a question with regards to showing a unit to a perspective tenant after the current tenant (i.e house roommates) has given notice to move. I was at my rental unit making repairs to a kitchen floor (I had given 30-days notice of entry -- PLENTY of time). While I was repairing the floor, a perspective tenant showed up to view the rental. As I already had permission to enter the premises for repair, I did not see a problem in showing the house to the perspective tenant. The door to the bedroom was not locked and/or latched so the door was already open. I pushed the door open (did NOT walk into the room) to show the size of the room (and the color of the walls -- I will be painting). I was 'leaning' on the door jam talking with the 'new' tenant when the current tenant started ranting that I illegally entered their 'room'. As I had permission to be in the house, they had given notice (it's less than two weeks before they are required to move), and I didn't actually step into the room, did I violate any 'codes' or 'regulations' regarding this action? :confused:

I live in Washington State if this helps.

Thanks in advance for your information.

excon · Mar 18, 2007, 12:36 PM

Hello UP:

Yeah, you shouldn't have shown the house. However, you didn't break any rules or "codes" that they can sue you for. I would just make sure that you do a final walkthrough with them, with a camera.

excon

Cvillecpm · Mar 18, 2007, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by UPhouse

I have a question with regards to showing a unit to a perspective tenant after the current tenant (i.e house roommates) has given notice to move. I was at my rental unit making repairs to a kitchen floor (I had given 30-days notice of entry -- PLENTY of time). While I was repairing the floor, a perspective tenant showed up to view the rental. As I already had permission to enter the premises for repair, I did not see a problem in showing the house to the perspective tenant. The door to the bedroom was not locked and/or latched so the door was already open. I pushed the door open (did NOT walk into the room) to show the size of the room (and the color of the walls -- I will be painting). I was 'leaning' on the door jam talking with the 'new' tenant when the current tenant started ranting that I illegally entered their 'room'. As I had permission to be in the house, they had given notice (it's less than two weeks before they are required to move), and I didn't actually step into the room, did I violate any 'codes' or 'regulations' regarding this action? :confused:

I live in Washington State if this helps.

Thanks in advance for your information.

No - are you sure you need to give 30 DAYS NOTICE to enter your own property? When unit is vacant AFTER you have repainted, take beaucoup digital pics that you can use on websites (Craigslist) and e-mail to prospects rather than going through this scenario... Your tenant was COMPLETELY out of line... ALWAYS knock on ANY closed door inside an occupied unit...

Squiffy · Mar 18, 2007, 01:12 PM

I can understand where your tenant was coming from. I wouldn't be happy if my landlord started showing people inside my bedroom (even from the doorway) without my permission, even if he was allowed to be in the house to do repairs. Bedrooms are personal spaces, I would be mad. You should have asked. But probably not breaking any laws, but just not a very polite thing to do.

landlord advocate · Mar 18, 2007, 04:54 PM

You had permission from the tenant to fix the kitchen floor. You did not have permission to bring a stranger through the house or for you to enter rooms other than the kitchen.

It is customary during the last 30 days of a lease, for landlords to show the property, with or without the tenant present. However, you are required to give notice.

You were wrong in showing the prospective tenant in without giving the current tenant a notice. Tell him you made an error in judgement and that it won't happen again.