Can a landlord put lockbox on a rental house without their tenant’s consent?
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Can a landlord put lockbox on a rental house without their tenant’s consent?
We’ve been good tenants for about a year and our landlord has decided to sell the house. We signed the lease knowing that this could happen. Verbatim,
Asked on May 4, 2016 under Real Estate Law, Connecticut
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
A "reasonable showing" is a showing at reasonable times--at generally or commercially reasonable times, not necessarily what works for you personally. Since many potential buyers want to view during the work day, it is not reasonable to restrict showings to eventings or weekends. (You don't have the right to so limit the landlord's ability to show and sell his property.) So the landlord is correct: as long as he provides adequate notice, he can show during the workweek.
As long as adequate notice is provided, your right to quiet enjoyment is not violated unless the quantity or frequence of showings becomes unreasonable: e.g. several times a day for days on end.
As to the lockbox: the landlord owns the property, not you. He may put a lockbox on the property to facilitate showing his property, subject only to the requirement that any showings be on adequate notice.
If anything is stolen, damaged, etc. during a showing, the landlord and/or realtor may be liable, if the damage was in any way due to them not properly supervising the showings or persons in your home.
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