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Can Blacksburg Property Owners Be Charged with Trespassing on Their Own Rental Property?

Woman Inviting Her Landlord Inside the HouseAs a property owner, you should make yourself responsible for maintenance on your rental property. Especially when you have renters in your acquired investment property, nonetheless, always remember that you owe your renters advanced notice before anyone can come into the property. Your property is automatically deemed as the renter’s home once you turn over the keys. Keep in mind that just because you own a rental property in Blacksburg doesn’t necessarily mean that you can trespass on the lives of your residents without considering proper notification. Even if you’re planning to just replace a furnace filter, all unannounced entries could result in your resident levying charges of criminal trespassing.

Definitions of “reasonable notice” vary with state law, so make sure to review the legality of your entry as a landlord. Outline the terms for notice to be given before entry in the lease so you don’t violate your renter’s privacy. Bear in mind that you should put at least twenty-four hours as a typical notice requirement for someone other than the tenant or their invitees to pass in the property, whether the resident is available or not. There are places that even restrict entry to times of the day and days of the week, so be sure to realize and follow the laws in your area in this manner. You may view it as a small adherence, but bearing in mind the consequences, you’ll definitely find it handy.

Omissions to could also include emergency repairs or safety issues, there are also faulty wiring that poses a fire hazard, burst pipes leaking into another unit or broken windows and doors that may perhaps disturb an ideal temperature or summons felonious doings. As a property owner, you must ensure that the residence is “habitable,” so your legal obligation may trump the obligation to notify residents of entry. Actually, being incapable of doing emergency repairs within the duration as stipulated by your state law could constitute neglect.

You as well as your tenants must also keep your property be true to the local building or housing codes. If a privation of maintenance or a renter’s extended absence is affecting heat or ventilation, or broken fixtures are preventing the adequate provision of water or electricity, then as the property owner, you could face penalties for violating standards of living. If your tenants are not upholding the sanitation and structure of your property, search for legal counsel and if you’ll be given the reasonable right to enter the premises to take on the necessary maintenances.

The other exception to criminal trespassing is implied permission. This would determine renter requested repairs or maintenance, this would also show that they estimated and acquiesced to your entry of the premises. Unless it is explicitly stated in the lease that notice should be provided for all repairs, you may be covered from a liability standpoint. Keep documentation of all maintenance requests to avoid the risk of a lawsuit.

In due course, you have the duty to respect your renter’s possessory rights. It may be your house, but it’s their home. Your property ownership does not necessarily give you the authorization to drop by without notice. You must submit proper notification of future entry. Illegal entry can result in fines up to several hundred dollars, or even jail time depending on your state.

Real Property Management Insight not only offers proper notice and communication with the tenants for routine maintenance, repairs, and property evaluations, we also hold you aware of all the phases of your rental property. For additional info on how we can make your life stress-free, contact us or call us at 540-998-6917.

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