Can my LL just send a new tenant over without escort? (lease, renters)

[MDrenter223]

Hello, I have lurked thru all 71 pages of posts here, mostly for entertainment, but alos to educate myself on what is happening to renters out there. I don't think I have come across a case like mine however and am hoping the hive can give me some insight.

I am in montgomery county maryland.
My lease makes no stipulations on showing the rental.
I rented via a relator, but now the LL is doing it himself, via whatever.
I notified the LL that I would be moving out in 60 days with the last months rent check, which he got. and asked for 24 hours notice before he showed the place off (he is not required to give notice, but I can be hopeful for professionalism right).

today I had the front desk (we are in a large building of condos and there is pretty tight security) call me and tell me I had a visitor, I was at school so I asked who it was and he said that it was a man here to view the unit and that the LL sent him, the desk informed me that I had rights and didn't have to let the man up to my unit, I said thankyou, and talked to the new renter.

The new renter said the LL told him just to go to the front desk, get the key and take a look at the unit. I told him that he could come back when I was home and that I didnt care what the LL said I did not want anyone in the unit w/o a relator or the LL.


So, am I in the right here? Not just morally but legaly. I understand showing the apt while we are in it, and I have no issue with that (as long as the showings are during business hours). But to send in unknown persons into my unit with out supervision has to be illegal right?

[Miaiam]

You have to look at what your lease says, this is just my opinion, in regards of common courtesy and respect: as a LL, I would let the tenant know in advance; and as a tenant, I would appreciate it if the LL did so.

With or without the property manager/LL, I would like to be informed in advance and I would let the tenant know if someone was coming to see the unit.

[STT Resident]

This general clause applies to MD landlord/tenant laws:

Rules regarding landlord access to the premises.

"A Landlord has the right to enter the premises at reasonable times to inspect, maintain, and show the premises. Except in the case of emergency, a landlord must gain permission from the tenant in order to enter. The Tenant may not unreasonably deny permission. Either party may obtain injunctive relief from the courts if the other party is unreasonable regarding access issues."

In other words, it seems quite clear that the LL can show the premises as long as he gives you reasonable notice and I'm with you that I absolutely would NOT allow entry to an unescorted potential renter. Sounds as though you have good security there who knows better than the LL!!!

[MDrenter223]

Thank you both, STT that is exactly what I saw, but wasn't sure if it was appropriate for the LL to just let a random applicant tour my residance without supervision. I am totally cool with him showing the place while occupied(as that is how I saw the place), but there must be LL or relator repersentation.

I called the LL, but he wasn't home, hopefully he made an honest mistake and is not trying to take advantage of my demeanor.

[Lacerta]

We have, on occasion, had the current renter let someone in to view a unit, when we were unavailable, and all parties were amenable. But to just tell someone to get the key and go on in to an occupied residence is insane. I would never agree to that as a Tenant, and I would never expect a tenant to agree to that as a LL.

SOMEONE should be there to supervise this random unknown person in your place of residence, with your stuff. Either the LL, the Realtor, or, if you are willing, then YOU yourself.

And in the law that STT quoted for your state, it says the LL has the right to ENTER and SHOW the property, not to allow other random people access, so I agree that this is illegal, and you have no obligation to allow it. Even if your lease says this behavior is allowed, I would fight it as an illegal clause. Besides which, you were not notified ahead of time (and 24 hours is very reasonable, it is considered standard in my area that tenants get 24 hour notice except in an emergency).

The only thing I can see that you might conceivably be being unreasonable about is wanting showings to be during business hours. "Business hours" and "Reasonable hours" are not really the same thing. We VERY often show rentals between 5 and 7 at night, which is not business hours, but is considered reasonable.

[Faworki1947]

MAYBE the LL thought the front desk would take the future tenant up and be with them for a walk thru /look..? Having a front desk seems to imply that it might be possible.. not that I condone it of course but I could see how the LL might think that way when in "get it rented mode"