Can my landlord give a key to someone without my consent or me knowing?
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Can my landlord give a key to someone without my consent or me knowing?
My landlord lives in another state. She called me about 6 months ago and told me she was selling the house. I met with her first real estate agent and came up with a plan that they would call me and I would set up a time with the other agents for showings. I also told them that I did not want a lock box that I would put a key out before every showing. This worked well for the first 4 months. A new agent took over and she told the landlord lies saying I was difficult. Long story short my landlord sent her a key to show my house without my knowledge.
Asked on October 11, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Washington
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
Your landlord can give a copy of your key to his or her agent to show the property that you are renting for resale without your consent or knowledge. You need to be aware that in most states a landlord is entitled to reasonable access to his or her rental upon appropriate notice.
In most states twenty-four (24) hour notice of requested access to a rental by a landlord or his/her agent is deemed reasonable.
In your situation as the tenant of the rental you should insist upon the required notice for access to your rental by the real estate agent or anyone else acting on behalf of your landlord by sending a letter to your landlord addressing this issue while keeping a copy for future need.
Good luck.
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