Lock Changing What Can I Do
I have an major issue with a tenant. She has the only key to my apartment that she rents from me. I failed to get a copy of this key or change the locks on the door. When I let her move in. She is a Section 8 Tenant. I have rented to her before and I have let her out of a one year lease before. This time she is doing whatever she can to get out of this 1yr lease but I will not let her out of it.
She has contacted Code enforcement. Code enforcement inspected the property and stated there was a problem with Plumbing & Pest and that I have until March 17th to get these issues resolved & there would be a reinspection. There must be Licensed professional to do the work and that I could not do it myself.
Tenant will not let me in the apartment for fear that I am going to try to fix things myself.
She is playing gaming and stalling. I have seen a professional plumbing company over twice, but tenant will not open the door.
I need to change me locks so I can get into the apartment & see what is wrong & what I need to pay for & what the repairmen need to fix.
I called a locksmith over to change the locks, but she would not let him. She told him if changed the locks she would call the police. The locksmith told me I needed to take care of the issue before he did anything and he left. I called the police to assist me with getting my locks changed. I called locksmith to comeback because the police was on the way. The police officer said there was nothing he could do it was a civil issue.
What can I do to get my door locks changed?
I just had a tenant who was doing the same thing or worse , he really rented only a room. So I waited for a while and went to court as he was not paying the rent eaither, and am having him evicted. With section 8 tenants it can get worse as the inspectors normally want land lord to take care of everything. BUt I also think it is good for you to get a professional plumber & a pest control guy. Because even if you get rid of her, you will have to repair everything in addition you may have to repaint, have carpet cleaned etc. before you can get another tenant. Taking that route, In addition you will lose a monty or two without rent. Hence so far she is paying her part of rent and section 8 theirs, keep them happy at least in this economy.
Thanks for everybodies comments. I was able to get code enforcement officer, 2 Section 8 managers & the pest man over to the apartment at 9am. Once the tenant saw the gang I had assembled she opened the door & stated the Pest man had 20minutes to spray because had to leave for class. While the door was open I called locksmith & he came out & rekeyed the locks & I got a copy. I am very happy. Tenant was just trying to stall so I could not do repair & wanted Code Enforcement to shut me down & let her out of the lease.
Something like National Tenant Network (http://ntnonline.com/) may be a resource to consider.
Another company is National Association of Independent Landlords. The website is www.NAIL-USA.com
Thanks very much --
It all depends on how the restriction is written... Hopefully in would be indexed to some relevant index.