Even though a rental property is not owned by a tenant, expectations of privacy remain sacrosanct. Renters have expectations on who can enter a rental unit and understanding why someone may gain access to the property while a tenant is not home.
Adam Almeida, President and CEO of TenantScreeningUSA.com states: “Privacy is of critical importance to a renter but there may be legitimate reasons a property can be accessed without the renter’s presence.”
From thebalancesmb.com (May 01, 18):
Under landlord tenant law, the landlord is allowed to enter a tenant’s rental unit for issues related to:
- The maintenance of the property.
- The sale or rental of the property.
- Safety or health concerns.
- When granted the legal right to by a court of law. (1)
Almeida states: “It is incumbent on the landlord and/or property manager to maintain and respect the privacy of a renter, as well as the security of personal property within the rental unit.”
Oftentimes renters do not have a clear understanding of what maintenance responsibilities are placed upon the renter and those placed upon the landlord or property owner.
Almeida states: “It is critical that all maintenance people are thoroughly background checked prior to entering into a rental property and this must be the responsibility of the landlord. Just as a tenant background check is a critical tool in vetting a renter, background screening or confirming background screening of maintenance crews is just as important.”
From LettingAgentToday.co.uk (May 01, 18):
A new survey of tenants suggests many know little about essential maintenance of their property, and often fail to check the professional credentials of tradespeople. (2)
Almeida adds: “Checking a background on anyone entering a rental property should be of paramount importance. Failure to do so could prove dangerous.”
Landlords must provide advanced notice for entry into a rental unit as well as conduct entry during typical and normal operating hours.
In Charlotte, North Carolina residents of an apartment complex have concerns about maintenance personnel entering rental units.
From WSOCtv.com (Nov. 03, 17):
They said with the high cost of rent, $1,700 to $2,200 monthly per unit, they thought they were pricing themselves out of certain security problems.
But, they said valuables have been disappearing from apartments and the staff is not responding to their complaints. (3)
“Ultimately a landlord must create a safe environment for tenants and manage who goes into a rental property. Just as a landlord conducts tenant screening on all applicants, maintenance personnel should be background checked as well” Almeida adds.
Background screening on maintenance personnel should include:
- Criminal History Report
- Sex Registry Review
- Social Security Number Trace
Investigating the claims of the residents of the Charlotte apartment complex a local news agency made some startling discoveries regarding maintenance personnel.
From WSOCtv.com (Nov. 03, 17):
A Channel 9 investigation uncovered that … served prison time in California for second-degree burglary and defrauding an innkeeper. (4)
Almeida concludes: “Landlords and property managers should work with a well-qualified tenant screening agency for all applicants and a well-qualified background screening agency for maintenance personnel.”
TenantScreeningUSA.com provides full service tenant screening for landlords and property managers of any size and can greatly assist in remaining fully compliant with all existing law governing tenant screening. With a highly trained and experienced staff, TenantScreeningUSA.com can provide help to landlords and property managers with all tenant screening needs. TenantScreeningUSA.com’s sister company CriminalBackgroundRecords.com can assist with all pre-employment background screening for maintenance personnel including thorough criminal background checks.
Notes:
- thebalancesmb.com/a-landlord-s-right-to-enter-rental-property-2125097
- lettingagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2018/4/survey-finds-many-tenants-dont-check-tradespeoples-credentials?source=newsticker
- wsoctv.com/news/apartment-maintenance-workers-criminal-past-raises-residents-concerns/637319997
- ibid
