Most landlords already know how essential it is to visit rental property every so often. Even if you've screened your tenants thoroughly, regular visits help to ensure the unit is being properly maintained. Don't forget about the major damage that could be caused to your home from a marijuana grow operation.
For landlords that are not living on the property, it's important to arrange with your tenants for visitations. You can do a drive-by whenever you want, but how often can you actually go inside and inspect the premises?
That's a sticky issue.
There are laws around how and when you can visit your property. For example, BC has a law that states: "A tenant is entitled to exclusive possession of a rental unit, including reasonable privacy, and quiet and peaceful enjoyment."
If landlords don't follow the proper procedures before visiting the rental unit, they could end up in a bad situation with the law. On the rental agreement, state that there will be regular inspections, so that the tenants are aware. The maximum amount you can inspect your property in BC is once a month.
Tenant's units in BC can be entered by the landlord if:
An emergency situation arises and the property or life needs to be protected. If further harm to the property is imminent and it's an urgent situation that can't wait, this is a case where you can enter.
Written notice is given to the tenant not less than 24 hours, and not more than 30 days before.
Permission is given by the tenant. It is still always best to provide written notice, and to record the circumstances of the entry. In a case where a landlord simply shows up and asks to enter the unit, the tenants can say later that the only let the landlord in because they felt intimidated.
If the landlord has agreed to provide housekeeping or other services in the tenancy agreement and entry is required to perform the service.
The unit looks like the tenant has vacated the property. For example, the tenant has not paid rent, and there are no signs of occupancy.
Entry has been allowed by an arbitrator who has provided an order.
Even when a landlord is entering the property for a "reasonable purpose", it may not be considered "reasonable" if the landlord enters too frequently. In BC, the Act states that a landlord can inspect rental units once a month.
It's best if the landlord and tenant can agree on reasonable times for entry.
Landlords who would like to have property visitations go smoothly should:
Provide proper notice to the tenants before an inspection.
The inspections should have a reasonable purpose like for periodic inspections or for repairs or upgrades.
Log the visitations in a notebook with the reason for visiting, and the date and time.
Discuss visits and inspections with your tenants right from the start. Let them know right up front that you'll be making regular inspections.
Your tenants will understand better when you submit your written request for an inspection at a later date. And regular inspections will let you rest easy, knowing that your home is being used as a home, and not a criminal venture.
For landlords that are not living on the property, it's important to arrange with your tenants for visitations. You can do a drive-by whenever you want, but how often can you actually go inside and inspect the premises?
That's a sticky issue.
There are laws around how and when you can visit your property. For example, BC has a law that states: "A tenant is entitled to exclusive possession of a rental unit, including reasonable privacy, and quiet and peaceful enjoyment."
If landlords don't follow the proper procedures before visiting the rental unit, they could end up in a bad situation with the law. On the rental agreement, state that there will be regular inspections, so that the tenants are aware. The maximum amount you can inspect your property in BC is once a month.
Tenant's units in BC can be entered by the landlord if:
An emergency situation arises and the property or life needs to be protected. If further harm to the property is imminent and it's an urgent situation that can't wait, this is a case where you can enter.
Written notice is given to the tenant not less than 24 hours, and not more than 30 days before.
Permission is given by the tenant. It is still always best to provide written notice, and to record the circumstances of the entry. In a case where a landlord simply shows up and asks to enter the unit, the tenants can say later that the only let the landlord in because they felt intimidated.
If the landlord has agreed to provide housekeeping or other services in the tenancy agreement and entry is required to perform the service.
The unit looks like the tenant has vacated the property. For example, the tenant has not paid rent, and there are no signs of occupancy.
Entry has been allowed by an arbitrator who has provided an order.
Even when a landlord is entering the property for a "reasonable purpose", it may not be considered "reasonable" if the landlord enters too frequently. In BC, the Act states that a landlord can inspect rental units once a month.
It's best if the landlord and tenant can agree on reasonable times for entry.
Landlords who would like to have property visitations go smoothly should:
Provide proper notice to the tenants before an inspection.
The inspections should have a reasonable purpose like for periodic inspections or for repairs or upgrades.
Log the visitations in a notebook with the reason for visiting, and the date and time.
Discuss visits and inspections with your tenants right from the start. Let them know right up front that you'll be making regular inspections.
Your tenants will understand better when you submit your written request for an inspection at a later date. And regular inspections will let you rest easy, knowing that your home is being used as a home, and not a criminal venture.
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