Results 1 to 4 of 4
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    2

    Default Uncooperative Tenant Won't Permit Repairs, Reporting To Public Health

    I own a motel that has weekly extended stay customers. The tenant in question has been at the property for five years (3.5 years prior to my ownership). We recently moved the tenant to another comprable unit in the building because we wanted to remodel their current room. After they were moved the husband got sent to jail for I believe accomplice to a burglary. The wife now lives here by herself and she claims she has reported us to the public health dept because her unit doesnt have hot water. I have on-site maintenace crew of 2 so they went to check it out but the tenant wont let the maintenance in.

    I'm planning on serving 24 hour maintenance notice but there is the possiblitiy that when we try to enter at that time, they will try to stop us again.

    I think the tenant is trying to blackmail me because they want to get moved to a larger and newer unit. This tenant is generally dirty and unpleasant and I would like them out, but I think they are filing claims with the public health dept to avoid eviction and possilby have a lawsuit.

    What should I do?

    this is under LA County in California

  2. #2

    Default Re: Uncooperative Tenant Won't Permit Repairs, Reporting To Public Health

    Why is she able to disallow maintenance ability to enter? Has she changed the locks? If there was some major water leak or other crisis where your crew had to get in, could they? If they have the ability to enter, you should simply be able to leave her a notice that they will be entering the unit on so-and-so date to effect repairs, then she can complain all she wants, but the situation would be fixed and you would have provided adequate notice.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    2

    Default Re: Uncooperative Tenant Won't Permit Repairs, Reporting To Public Health

    she was always home so even if we tried to go in to do the repair she would just push the door shut on the maintenance crew.

    I relented and let her move to another unit which is worth far more than what she's paying. sigh

  4. #4

    Default Re: Uncooperative Tenant Won't Permit Repairs, Reporting To Public Health

    Caving in to her only teaches her that the way to get what she wants from you is threats and intimidation. Unless you do something different, you'll have a long history of this from her. Tell your maintenance people to call police when they are ready to make repairs and let the police explain to her that they have not only the legal authority to enter to make repairs, but a DUTY to do so, since she can and probably would sue regarding the water issue.

    1. Sponsored Links
       

Similar Threads

  1. Repair and Maintenance: Who Pays for Repairs if Damage is Due to Tenant's Stupidity
    By eplwv69 in forum Landlord-Tenant Law
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 09-17-2010, 07:22 PM
  2. Repair and Maintenance: Repairs Not Wanted By Tenant
    By momm2500 in forum Landlord-Tenant Law
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 05-07-2008, 07:35 AM
  3. Repair and Maintenance: Eviction Of A Tenant To Avoid Making Repairs
    By clf49502 in forum Landlord-Tenant Law
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 06-26-2007, 08:49 AM
  4. Moving Out: Does A Tenant Have To Permit a Landlord's Lockbox
    By Pagey in forum Landlord-Tenant Law
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 06-17-2007, 06:28 PM
  5. Repair and Maintenance: Repairs for tenant who is being evicted
    By DojoDan in forum Landlord-Tenant Law
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 07-30-2006, 02:51 PM
 
 
Sponsored Links

Legal Help, Information and Resources