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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Posts
    3

    Default Landlord Won't Permit Tenant to Have a Friend Check His Mail During a Trip

    My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: California

    Hello, I live in an apartment building in California, and I’m leaving my place on a trip for 4 months. I first left my apartment for a 4 month trip last year. On my initial trip, I told the manager that since I would be away for a long time, I was giving a duplicate of the keys of the building, my apartment, and mailbox to a friend who would periodically check on my place and pick up my mail. The manager told me that since my friend would have access to the building, he needed a copy of his driver’s license. I therefore gave the manager a copy of my friend’s Driver’s License.

    During the time I was away everything went well. However, since last year, I had a big argument with my friend and we no longer speak to each other. Unfortunately, I never had asked my friend to return the duplicate keys to me. I told the manager that I had an argument with my friend and asked if he could change my apartment keys since I don’t want to see my friend again. Since I’m leaving for another 4 month trip, I told the manager that I am making another set of duplicate keys of the building, my apartment and mailbox and giving the keys to a different friend to check on my apartment and mail. I told the manager that I would give him a copy of this person’s driver’s license. However, the manager is not allowing me to let another friend check on my place and mail.

    The manager told me that since my first friend never returned the duplicate keys to me since last year, the manager will not allow another friend of mine to have access to the building. I therefore had to call my friend with whom I had argued and with whom I was not talking and asked him to return the keys. He said he would return them tomorrow. I told the manager that the duplicate keys will be returned by my friend but that hasn’t helped change the manager’s mind about allowing my second friend to check on my apartment while I’m away.

    The manager says that he (the manager) will pick up my mail from the mailbox, open my apartment and drop the mail in my apartment. However, I don’t feel comfortable with the manager. Besides, I need the person who picks up my mail to open a number of the letters, to answer some of the letters, to pay the bills, etc. In addition, I need the person to turn on my car which is in the garage to make sure the battery doesn’t go bad, to water the plants in the apartment, etc. The manager, though, says that he doesn’t want my friend to enter the building even if I provide him with a copy of my friend’s driver’s license. I need to leave soon and I’m very concerned.

    Can the manager legally prevent my friend from visiting my place periodically to check on my apartment, mail, car, etc.? Your thoughts, help and ideas would be deeply appreciated. Thank you very much for your kind assistance!!!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    24,521

    Default Re: Can a Friend Have Access to the Building to Check My Mail While I'm Away for 4 Mo

    Yes, he can.

    What you can do is go to the post office and fill out a "forward" card that will have the mail temporarily delivered to your friend's address.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Landlord Won't Permit Tenant to Have a Friend Check His Mail During a Trip

    It's not clear if your landlord is telling you, "You can't have a friend check on your mail and apartment", or if they're simply telling you, "We're not making you a new set of keys after what happened last time, so if you want a friend to have access you need to give him your keys."

    Also, your other thread indicates that you have a roommate. He's traveling at the same time? If so, what is he doing in relation to his mail?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Posts
    7,056

    Default Re: Landlord Won't Permit Tenant to Have a Friend Check His Mail During a Trip

    What you do is write a letter (not an email or text) to the building management telling them that you will be away from date to date and that your friend (name, address, phone number) will be periodically checking your apartment and retrieving your mail. You include a copy of your friends license in the letter. Then give your friend the spare key and a copy of the letter to have with him when he comes.

    I have been down this road and the management cannot prevent your friend access to your apartment or condo. He/she is not living there or staying there.

    Quote Quoting cbg
    View Post
    Yes, he can.
    No, he can not. It's no different than having a guest visit you.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    24,521

    Default Re: Landlord Won't Permit Tenant to Have a Friend Check His Mail During a Trip

    You can't visit someone who isn't there.

    So you're saying the landlord is required to provide duplicate keys for non-residents on request? Pray do tell me under what law that that is mandated.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Posts
    7,056

    Default Re: Landlord Won't Permit Tenant to Have a Friend Check His Mail During a Trip

    No, what I am saying is that I or anyone else can give some access to my domicile if I so choose. The management doesn't have to provide a key (but most management and condo associations reserve a key for access) They can't disregard who has access to my unit. This is after all, not a prison.

    If I want to pay for a duplicate key, they have to private it. If I give my key to someone else with proper notification that they have access to my apt. they have to honor it.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    24,521

    Default Re: Landlord Won't Permit Tenant to Have a Friend Check His Mail During a Trip

    Then the OP can give his own keys to the friend. Problem solved.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Posts
    7,056

    Default Re: Landlord Won't Permit Tenant to Have a Friend Check His Mail During a Trip

    It's really not about the key. OP could give the key to a friend for access. The bigger issue is the authorization to enter the building and apartment. That is why I posted that OP should notify management that (friend's name) will have access to apt. and that friend bring the letter with them when they visit.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Posts
    8,006

    Default Re: Landlord Won't Permit Tenant to Have a Friend Check His Mail During a Trip

    Quote Quoting budwad
    View Post
    It's really not about the key. OP could give the key to a friend for access. The bigger issue is the authorization to enter the building and apartment. That is why I posted that OP should notify management that (friend's name) will have access to apt. and that friend bring the letter with them when they visit.
    Given that it sounds like OP is probably going to run into resistance, it would be easier for you to provide the proper law he can quote if needed.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Landlord Won't Permit Tenant to Have a Friend Check His Mail During a Trip

    The landlord has no right to restrict a tenant's guests unless there is a provision in the lease that allows for such a restriction, and even then the landlord is constrained in the limits that can be imposed. But I'm still wondering if the actual problem is that the landlord won't permit somebody to stop by from time to time to check the mail and run the car, or if it's that the landlord won't provide another set of keys and neither the OP nor his roommate trust the 'house sitter' enough to lend him theirs.

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