<p>So my DS is graduating this year. Lives in a studio in Boston. He has let his landlord know he will be moving out in late August. Brokers/agents have been showing his apartment to new potential tenants. For the most part they call him and request access for a five minute walk through. Tonight at 5pm he received a text message from a realty agency stating that they will be holding an open house in his building and his apartment from 1 to 4pm tomorrow. He works nights and will be sleeping at 1pm. He texted the person back and responded that they could show his apartment after 3pm but not before.<br>
Anyone know what his rights are? Is he required to give them access on such short notice?
He is going to call his landlord on Monday but obviously can’t call at 5pm on Saturday night.</p>
<p>They are supposed to give you 24 hrs. notice, but they often break that rule. That happened to me. I was furious to learn that my apartment had been shown in my absence, without notice. I’d been so rushed in the morning I had not made my bed. I doubt there is a lot that can be done short of spending a lot of energy making a stink.</p>
<p>I suggest barricading his door. :)</p>
<p>Yup. They didn’t give him 24 hours notice. I asked if he had a hotel style chain but unfortunately just a lock and deadbolt. Likely the agents have keys to both. He is a big guy at least…so he can take care of himself. I actually feel sorry for the agent who wakes him up :)</p>
<p>He should check his lease to find out what happens in the event the lease isn’t renewed. Usually, there is a 2 or 3 month period before the lease expires where they require that the apartment be shown. As a tenant he has the right to set the days & times that are convenient to him. Again, check the lease. He still has the right to enjoy his space without having being invaded at the whim of agents and prospective tenants.</p>
<p>Thanks. Yes, the lease does say the apartment can be shown. It is way more than 2 or 3 months prior to the September expiration but that is typical for the tight Boston rental market.<br>
What he is unhappy about is the lack of notice. I have told him he needs to call the landlord pronto on Monday. It is not the landlord showing the place but several different agents who are hoping to get the one months broker fee.</p>
<p>maybe for the next time…when he DOES have sufficient notice…any chance he can bunk in with someone else if he’s worked the night before? Hopefully this won’t happen frequently…but if the lease permits it, and he needs sleep…well…it’s an option.</p>
<p>Yeah good idea Thumper. It’s a tough one because they do have the right to show it and most people would be awake at a 1pm. He has had problems for the past month with realtors showing up at his door with no notice, calling him from the street etc. They are very aggressive because they want that broker fee.</p>
<p>ebee, I’m curious as to why he gave notice to his landlord so far in advance. Did his lease require that? I’m not familiar with any area that would require more than 60 days notice to be given.</p>
<p>I can’t speak for ebeeee’s kiddo, but my kiddo and her roommates have also notified the landlord that they are not returning next year. They are all graduating seniors. It was the beginning of March two years ago when THEY signed their lease for the following year. I believe the landlord requires 90 days notice, but they felt he’s been a terrific landlord and deserved as much advance notice as possible…and the reality is…they are NOT returning.</p>
<p>I understand the wish to be generous to a good landlord but I would hope that he would be the same in return to a good tenant, and at least make an attempt to control showings and to make sure that the appropriate amount of notice is given.</p>
<p>They were required to let the landlord know by Feb. 1 whether they planned to renew the lease next September 2010. If you didn’t say “yes” by Feb. 1 they assume you don’t plan to renew. The boston rental market is a unique animal. Lots of parents on the parent website of my kids school asking questions because their kids are looking for off campus apartments for the first time. I was blessed with a lot of great advice from a CCer who is in law school in Boston.
The landlord is a huge landlord and they are ultimately picky about everything. On the flip side, the apartment is clean and safe and in working order. Generally speaking in that market the pickier the landlord the nicer the place. We had to cosign the lease, pay four months up front in March for the following September, etc.<br>
I told DS to go with the nicest, pickiest landlord. You do not want to get in something off craigslist out there. I think what is happening with the realtors is that they aren’t checking with the landlord each time. They are all hungry for the fee.</p>