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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Avondale, AZ
    Posts
    2

    Default Commercial Lease Landlord Access

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

    I lease an office building. We keep the door locked to control access into our building. The office staff is comprised of four women who feel much safer with the door locked because we have a high volume of undesirable foot traffic in the area. We have a doorbell to let the staff know when someone is here.

    My landlord consistently uses his key to access the office for non emergency situations. Often coming in quietly and startling the office staff. He comes in to bring mail, bills or to pick up the rent check. I have addressed this with him before and asked that he not just enter the building because of the effect it has on my staff. He continues to do this at least 2-3 times a month.

    We agreed to a simple lease and there is no clause granting him access to the rental property at his whim. I also suspect he is coming into the office after hours for whatever reason, I am not finding anything out of place, but the women sometimes find the toilet lid raised in the morning, which is odd considering it is only women in the office.

    I have searched for Tenant Law in Arizona and find most of it applies to Residential. My specific question is, can I legally stop the landlord from entering the building without giving notice in a Commercial lease?

    Thank you

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Commercial Lease Landlord Access

    What does your lease say about your right to change the locks, and whether or not you have to give your landlord a key?

    For obvious reasons, businesses often do want and need to be able to lock out even a landlord and his agents, or change the locks in a hurry if there's a problem with unauthorized access or concern of that after terminating an employee.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Avondale, AZ
    Posts
    2

    Default Re: Commercial Lease Landlord Access

    We signed a very simple lease. There is nothing in it pertaining to his right to access, nor prohibiting me from changing the locks.

    I have found online Tenant Rights, which say he needs to give notice before entering and he should only access the building in an emergency situation, still providing notice that he is entering. But those are all found under "Residential".

    What I need to know is does the residential tenant rights translate to commercial tenant rights. I can simply draw up a letter and send it to him certified as notice and if he continues, then I will change the locks or take legal action. I don't want it to get that nasty and if I am within my rights to tell him again via letter this time, that he cannot enter, then I will. I just don't want to apply laws to him that I shouldn't be.

    Thank you

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Cinnaminson, New Jersey, United States
    Posts
    205

    Default Re: Commercial Lease Landlord Access

    I can understand your frustration... many landlords (commercial and residential) feel that because they own the property, they can come and go as they please.

    If it is not stated specifically in your lease what his 'rights of entry' are, you are both falling into a gray area.

    As you have suggested, I would change the locks without giving him a reason. This is within your rights if you "fear for the safety of your employees".

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