Answer: Yes! We live in the United State of America. If you’re the owner, you are always welcome to visit your properties. This right is usually written into the lease as well.
This is a very short answer (and makes for a very short blog)…
For a longer discussion… the question could be whether it is advantageous for owners to visit their properties if they have a property management company managing them already.
Let’s look at 3 scenarios of an owner rental home visit. Keep in mind (especially after COVID), at least one of the tenants will probably be home at some point during the home inspection:
Scenario #1 (Happy Time):
Owner knocks on the door. Tenant enthusiastically answers and there is a warm greeting. They tour the home together.
Owner: “My, you keep my home up beautifully! How did you get the cracks so clean between the countertop and backsplash?
Tenant: “Oh, it was a trick my mother taught me- gently scrub a paste of baking soda mixed with lemon juice in with a toothbrush.”
Owner: “Splendid! And thank you for always paying early!”
Tenant: “You’re welcome! Have you met my 4-year old daughter, Ivory? Honey, come say ‘hi’ to our landlord!”
Owner: “She’s so cute!”
Tenant: “Thank you! Can I get your number if I have an emergency and can’t get in touch with the management company? They’re sort of slow sometimes.”
Owner: “Sure!”
Upside: Owner has firsthand knowledge of the property and a budding friendship?
Downside: It might be necessary to evict the tenant and her young daughter. A personal connection makes this tougher. The tenant now has an influential third-party to go to when the property manager’s answers are not to the tenant’s liking (the old “Go to Mom when Dad says ‘no’” trick).
Scenario #2 (Unhappy Time):
Owner knocks on the door- no one answers. Owner keys into the property. Family is eating dinner. Tenant has been late on the rent. The home is really messy and not maintained. Owner speaks to the tenant. Tenant had a tough day at work and complains about repair issues with the house. An unhappy conversation ensues. No one is happy when the owner leaves.
Upside: Owner has firsthand knowledge of the property
Downside: The relationship with the tenant is potentially complicated. There are negative feelings on both sides that may lead to sub-optimal choices that erode the relationship further.
Scenario #3: (Normal Time):
Owner knocks on the door- no one answers. Owner keys in and no one is home. Owner walks through, inspects all the rooms, and takes a few notes. Owner is preparing to leave and the tenant arrives home with her daughter from basketball practice. Owner and tenant cordially greet each other and then each continue along with what they were doing. Owner leaves.
Upside: Owner has firsthand knowledge of the property
Downside: None
As a property manager, our goal is to maximize our owner client’s investment; a large part of that is creating a drama-less relationship where rent is paid, the home is maintained, and needed repairs are done. We want to create an environment where tenants want to extend their leases and have no landlord-related reasons on why they wouldn’t. They are free to enjoy their rental home and live their lives. If at some point we need to file for eviction, the decision is based more on a business case as opposed to any emotion either way.
It's a boringly successful relationship for all parties. Ran correctly, it’s a beautifully benign operation.
And it is entirely possible that an owner visit would not affect the tenant relationship at all!
But… going back to whether owner property visits are actually advantageous, we still don’t recommend them as the safest move seems to let things be. It doesn’t seem wise to add any potential disruption of this boring relationship when there is no tangible upside.
Owners are always welcome to visit their rental properties for any reason, including curiosity! There just seems little to be gained and much to be potentially lost. Why take an unnecessary risk?
Happy Landlording!
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