'You won't get inside': Tenant tricks landlord into getting stuck outside their own apartment after they demand viewings

Author image for Brad Dickson
Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
Nov 18, 2023 9:00 AM EST

One of the penultimate joys of renting a home is having random strangers traipsing through your house; it will happen on a near monthly basis during your tenancy—or on whatever duration for inspection is dictated in your agreement. Still, whenever this occurs, you'll feel like you've been transported into Shawshank Prison and are awaiting an inspection from a corrupt and hostile warden who may take issue unpredictably at any little thing. Sure, in most cases, the inspection isn't nearly so insidious, but the anxiety that it presents is one of the worst parts of not being able to own your own home. This will double, triple—quadruple even, in frequency when it comes time for you to move on… Probably because you were priced out of your current rental due to incremental rent increases. Whatever the reason, your landlord will want to show your home and will organize times for even more strangers to procedurally ransack your home.

Advertisement
  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 9838960384
    via Jaye Haych
  • 02
    Posted by u/monty_python12 Strong-arming me into a viewing? Fine, but you won't get inside the apartment S OC I'm renting an apartment from a company, who's renting agents are somehow all unprofessional, late, and kinda slow. Had a plethora of issues with them throughout 10 months, but that's a story for another time.
    via u/monty_python12
  • 03
    As I've told my landlord I'll be moving out, they instructed their agents to find a new tenant for the apartment. The way it worked, the agent would email me with a proposed date and time, and I would confirm that I'll be in at that time ( I've got a cat so I insisted on being present during the viewings).
    via u/monty_python12
  • 04
    The agents never had keys - I think that's because the landlord's office is at the other end of the city, and they can't be bothered to drive an extra hour each time there's a viewing to pick the keys up, and then drop them off, so they relied on me to let them in each time Apart from a couple of unannounced show- ups, followed by passive-aggressive emails about the messy property, all was well until a week ago.
    via u/monty_python12
  • 05
    The agent emails me saying they've got a viewing on the 13th. I respond saying I've got work that day, and won't be able to do 13th. She simply replies "if you won't be able to accommodate this request, I'll ask the landlord for a 24-hour notice of entry, which is legally enforceable". Ok, do that The day comes, I get a call. "We're downstairs". "Congratulations, but I'm not home, I hope you brought keys this time"
    via u/monty_python12
  • 06
    Man I wish I could see her face then. We went back and forth a bit, she tried to threaten me with legal action, to which I just replied that I don't object to them entering, they're unable to enter through their own negligence, and I have nothing to do with it Naturally got an email from the landlord asking me to be "more cooperative" next time, which was promptly ignored
    via u/monty_python12
  • 07
    chrispy_bacon 8 hr. ago Tell them "poor planning on your part doesn't constitute an emergency on mine." Vote Reply Share monty_python12 OP 8 hr. ago Haha that's actually brilliant, I think I'll respond saying exactly that Vote Reply Share
    via u/monty_python12
  • 08
    DisneyBuckeye. 6 hr. ago Preceded by "I told you in writing that I wouldn't be home and that you would need to bring your own keys." Reply Share Vote rpgmaster1532 · 8 hr. ago Or... poor planning prevents proper performance. Vote Reply Share ●●●
    via u/monty_python12
  • 09
    daunorubicin 9 hr. ago You were exactly as cooperative as you could be. You said you weren't in. You said you couldn't be in. You agreed that with 24 hours notice the landlord could require entry. That doesn't require you to be there to let them in. ↑ Vote Reply Share
    via u/monty_python12
  • 10
    COOL IT WITH THE STIC REMAR cheesenuggets2003 - 8 hr. ago No you see capital holders think that they are doing folks a favor by charging us money to live in their buildings so obviously we are supposed to just not go to work (but still somehow come up with money for rent) whenever they want entry to their own property. Vote Reply Share
    via u/monty_python12
  • 11
    monty_python12 OP 8 hr. ago Surprisingly, my landlord has been nothing but reasonable and accommodating towards me, I've got a feeling they know their agents are idiots by now Vote Reply Share
    via u/monty_python12
  • 12
    chaingun_samurai 9 hr. ago We went back and forth a bit, she tried to threaten me with legal action, Have fun with that one. Vote Reply Share ● monty_python12 OP 9 hr. ago. edited 9 hr. ago It's their go-to argument They once showed up unannounced, right after I cooked some beef. The whole place smelled like fried meat after, and I apologized ( to the prospective tenant) about the smell
    via u/monty_python12
  • 13
    The next day, I find out the agent told my landlord that my cat was "urinating uncontrollably in the apartment, causing extremely disturbing smell", and the landlord was obviously freaked out. Thankfully they actually took my side, no more surprise- viewings after that Vote Reply Share
    via u/monty_python12
  • 14
    zuol128 hr. ago I hated my last leasing company so when I gave my notice they started showing the apt. I explained I worked nights and if they came before 4 pm I would b naked. I also had my wife leave her toys everywhere. They only came once after I heard the door open with no announcement and I was buck naked in my kitchen. Never seen people run out so fast Vote Reply Share ●●●
    via u/monty_python12
  • 15
    tenaka30 8 hr. ago "Naturally got an email from the landlord asking me to be "more cooperative" next time..." How could you be more cooperative? They asked, you said you would not be available. This should have been all they needed to know they had to go pick up the keys. You were are cooperative as you could be under the circumstances especially as you did not stand your ground about being present. Reply Share Vote
    via u/monty_python12
  • 16
    HKatzOnline 8 hr. ago I would let the landlord know that you had informed the realtor that you would be working / out that day and they came anyway as if they thought you were lying. Reply Share Vote
    via u/monty_python12
  • 17
    Redmudgirl 9 hr. ago Well played. Congrats! Vote monty_python12 OP 9 hr. ago · Thanks! Reply Share Vote Reply Share
    via u/monty_python12

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

landlord malicious compliance revenge tenant landlords petty revenge rent renting
Scroll Down For The Next Article