Can a landlord legally inspect a property 4 times a year if they refuse to give a specific date of when they will inspect?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Can a landlord legally inspect a property 4 times a year if they refuse to give a specific date of when they will inspect?

We are new to Tennessee and the apartment we are living in has informed us of the first of 4 ‘quartely’ inspections’ that they will be performing. They claim that it will happen some time within a 12 day window, and they refuse to give us a specific date even when asked. They also indicated that they will need access to EVERY room. Our concern is that we are being asked to Crate our animal for more than one week to avoid the inspectors getting bitten. Yet, even when told this the only response was – crate the animal. Is This Legal? Specifically when we have asked for a date.

Asked on June 23, 2009 under Real Estate Law, Tennessee

Answers:

N. K., Member, Iowa and Illinois Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 14 years ago | Contributor

Generally, whether in privately-owned apartments or federally-subsidized housing (Section 8), notice of inspection is given indicating the date and time-frame of the inspection (for example, "inspection will occur on June 23 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m."). This is done so that the tenant can decide whether to be present during the inspection (some tenants don't like people in their apartment when they are not present), to allow the tenants to make any preparations that they need to (such as arranging to have pets crated), and to indicate whether or not tenants may have guests/visitors present during the inspections (if the tenant cannot have visitors present, this allows time for the tenant to cancel having guests over during the inspection date).   

If no date is given, the tenant cannot make required preparations as stated above.

It seems strange to me, but I don't know Tennessee law or what your lease states. Perhaps when you signed the lease, you agreed to these "dateless" inspections. But they are out of the ordinary and usually, in other states, illegal because some kind of advance notice is required.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption