Ripped from today's non-headlines.
A renter in my neighborhood was awoken at 8:00 a.m.
It started with a gentle knock.
Then a louder pounding.
Then the door bell.
Ring. and then ring again.
The renters were asleep- having just returned from an out of town event.
The father put on his clothes and went to the door.
No one there.
He went back in the house and there's a person at the side door with her face pressed against the glass. This side door is only accessable by going through two gates.
He then went outside, through one gate and into the back yard.
There was the agent with her client.
She said, "Oh good. The owner told me I can see the house. This is my client. Can we come in?"
The renter said, "Let me talk to the owner. I know nothing about this."
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Agents.
Renters.
There is a right called "quiet enjoyment."
Without being overly lawyerly it means the renter is to be allowed certain rights to live in the house in a way that is very much like that of a homeowner.
This language of quiet enjoyment is very often found within the terms of the lease... and it's even understood as a right even if such jargon is not found in the lease.
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Agents- be sure that the owner has given the renter enough notice.
After all- the home will look better if the renter is prepared to make it presentable.
Renters- you deserve the right to have such visits occur on reasonable terms.
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Finally- agents. Don't do this.
Don't snoop into back yards and leer through windows in your desire to find your client a home.
That's not ethical.
And it's creepy.
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Note: no items were burgled from this neighborhood home. But the neighbors were tempted to call the police "suspicious activity" line. Also. Apologies to cats. Not all of you are burglers. But- sometimes your stealthy ways can be perceived as creepy. Not judging.
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Photo Credit to the very talented Saxton Moseley for his creative commons artwork "Caught in the Act". Follow his work here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/saxonmoseley/
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