As a landlord, you know how important it is to make regular visits to your rental property. Of course, screening your tenants will weed out a lot of the bad apples, you still need to visit the property from time to time to be sure that it is in good condition. Don't forget about the major damage that could be caused to your home from a marijuana grow operation.
Unless you live right next door, and can keep a constant eye out, you'll need to make arrangements to visit the property. A landlord can always drive by the home to assess the situation, but to go inside, what are the rules around that?
That's a sticky issue.
You can inspect your rental property according to the laws that are in place where the property is. 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 you drop in without giving the proper notice, you are in violation of the law, and could face nasty consequences. It is a good idea to note in the rental agreement that you will be making regular inspections. The law in BC states that a landlord can inspect the property every month.
Tenant's units in BC can be entered by the landlord if:
There is an emergency and entry is needed to protect life or property. 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.
The tenant gives permission to enter to the landlord. It is still always best to provide written notice, and to record the circumstances of the entry. Tenants could later state that they felt intimidation from the landlord if they just show up and ask for permission to enter.
If the tenancy agreement includes housekeeping or alike, and this requires the landlord to enter.
The rental appears to be vacated by the tenant. 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. Landlords in BC can not inspect a rental property more often than once every month.
It's best if the landlord and tenant can agree on reasonable times for entry.
To avoid problems with accessing a rental property, the landlord should:
Give tenants the proper notice before visiting the property.
The inspections should have a reasonable purpose like for periodic inspections or for repairs or upgrades.
Record the reason and the time of every visit.
Talk to your tenants about how often you will be inspecting the property prior to them taking possession of the property. 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.
Unless you live right next door, and can keep a constant eye out, you'll need to make arrangements to visit the property. A landlord can always drive by the home to assess the situation, but to go inside, what are the rules around that?
That's a sticky issue.
You can inspect your rental property according to the laws that are in place where the property is. 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 you drop in without giving the proper notice, you are in violation of the law, and could face nasty consequences. It is a good idea to note in the rental agreement that you will be making regular inspections. The law in BC states that a landlord can inspect the property every month.
Tenant's units in BC can be entered by the landlord if:
There is an emergency and entry is needed to protect life or property. 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.
The tenant gives permission to enter to the landlord. It is still always best to provide written notice, and to record the circumstances of the entry. Tenants could later state that they felt intimidation from the landlord if they just show up and ask for permission to enter.
If the tenancy agreement includes housekeeping or alike, and this requires the landlord to enter.
The rental appears to be vacated by the tenant. 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. Landlords in BC can not inspect a rental property more often than once every month.
It's best if the landlord and tenant can agree on reasonable times for entry.
To avoid problems with accessing a rental property, the landlord should:
Give tenants the proper notice before visiting the property.
The inspections should have a reasonable purpose like for periodic inspections or for repairs or upgrades.
Record the reason and the time of every visit.
Talk to your tenants about how often you will be inspecting the property prior to them taking possession of the property. 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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