Consumer Blog

My landlord wants to show my apartment

Missouri consumer writes:

We are leasing a house and the landlord is wanting to sell the property. What are my rights as far as when people can come and see the property? I really don't want the people coming in the house without notifying me and during evenings or weekends. I have discussed this with the landlord and she has not been willing to negotiate.

Your best bet is to talk to a lawyer if you need legal help.

The Attorney General does not handle consumer complaints against landlords. But here's how this generally works: In general, a landlord is not supposed to enter a tenant's unit without reasonable notice, unless it's an emergency. The lease may address this more specifically. The landlord has the right to show a rental unit to prospective buyers or renters, but at a time agreed to by to the tenant. After the landlord and tenant agree on a mutually convenient time, it is always a good practice to put that agreement in writing so there are no misunderstandings between the landlord and tenant.

If you need a lawyer, the Missouri Bar can refer you to one. Or Legal Services of Missouri may be able to help.

Also, our office publishes a brochure called Landlord-Tenant Law.

Technorati Tags: apartment, landlord, landlord tenat law, lease, rent, security deposit, show apartment, tenant, moagoconsumer, consumer protection

Posted by Travis on June 6, 2007 8:50 am :: Comments (5) :: Permalink

5 Responses to "My landlord wants to show my apartment"

Laura says:

November 29, 2007 10:15 am

My daughter was in an abusive relationship. She moved out of her leased apartment and back home. The boyfriend also moved back home. Both names are on the lease.

I would like to know how to go about notifying the apartment management of moving out and breaking the lease.

We still have the keys and all utilities have been shut off. The boy friend claims he will pay the remainder on the lease but we cannot trust him. My daughter has talked to the on site personnel and they say she is responsible for 5 months of the 12 months remaining on the lease. Is there a way to get out of the lease comletely?

She did move out for fear of her safety and for any possible damage the boyfriend may cause to the apartment. No police report was or will be filed for the domestic abuse to my daughter.

Denotes the author of this comment is employed by the Attorney General's Office

Travis says:

November 29, 2007 2:34 pm

To Laura:

In Missouri, there's no provision in the law for this kind of situation. If your daughter's name is on the lease, she will likely be held responsible for it.

Of course, the landlord may work with her if she respectfully explains her situation.

Jason says:

May 27, 2008 6:11 pm

I have a question, my apartment complex decided that they needed to get the roof redone, and hired roofers to do the work. However they had to shut off the air conditioner until it was finished. It has now been over a week and a half and it has not been turned back on. The apartment complex never gave a notice that this would happen. Is the apartment complex following the right procedure, or do i have any rights on this situation?

Linda says:

July 14, 2008 9:33 am

We have an oral agreement with our renters. The agreement was made in May of 2008. We let them move in in May and told them that the rent would start June 5th 2008. We have not gotten any rent at all and no attempt has been made by the renters to contact us or return our calls. It is now July 14th and that would make them 2 months behind in rent. I have sent them two notices and they have received the mailings. One of the notices was sent with return reciept required. This mailing was a request to vacate. What should my next steps be?