Am I obligated as a renter to allow my landlord show my apartment because he is selling the building?
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Am I obligated as a renter to allow my landlord show my apartment because he is selling the building?
He keeps bothering me to show it and said that I have to. Is this true? It is not stated in the lease.
Asked on March 20, 2012 under Real Estate Law, New York
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Yes, you have to let them show the apartment. The owner of property (or his property manager or other agent) has the right to show it to prospective buyers or renters and their realtors--it does not matter that this right is not in the lease, since it a right the owner has by virtue of being the owner.
The right is not unlimited:
1) there must be reasonable notice (generally held to be 24 hours) of a showing;
2) the showing can only be at reasonable times (typically normal work hours, or as otherwise agreed to by the tenant);
3) the tenant does not have to clean for the showings or vacate for them, though the landlord may offer the tenant something (rent rebate; gift card; etc.) to do so; and
4) if anything is damaged or lost during showings, the landlord may be liable.
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