Can our landlord tell us that we have to vacate the premises during an inspection?

Can our landlord tell us that we have to vacate the premises during an inspection?

My landlord of our duplex has asked that we vacate the premises during an alleged appraisal of the home. However, we are almost entirely certain that she is just sending her friend in to take pictures of the inside of the home. Our landlord has instructed us that she doesn’t want us here even when her friend arrives and after she leaves. We have expressed our discomfort with having a complete stranger in our home without us there. We have two very young children so, aside from protecting our things, we feel this is a measure to protect our children. Can she legally ask us to do this?

Asked on March 7, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Virginia

Answers:

---

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.