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Updated about 2 years ago on . Most recent reply

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11
Posts
3
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Will Carson
  • Homeowner
  • Denver, CO
3
Votes |
11
Posts

Does anyone know if a House-Hacking landlord can enter a tenant's room?

Will Carson
  • Homeowner
  • Denver, CO
Posted

I rent out the extra bedrooms in my house.  I have a nightmare tenant who is moving out in 8 days (can't come fast enough!).  

She is not staying here tonight and she has left all of her lights on and her blinds are fully open so you can see into her room from the street.  She has boxes stuffed full of possessions stacked up near the window.  To me, this poses two threats:

1. The lights, especially the lamp, could start a fire since they have been on for 16+ hours and I am the only person in the house and I will be going to sleep.  

2. The well-lit room full of possessions, completely visible from the street, would be a very tempting loot for a 3am passerby.

Recently, she and I have had all sorts of drama about entering her room.  I went in there to feed her cat because he was pawing at the door for hours. Turns out his auto feeder had not been plugged in so he was without food for two days (animal abuse?).  While in there I cleaned up the feces, vomit, and urine on the floor.  More recently, I moved some of her boxes of personal items into her room because she had left them stacked in the common living room for over a week and I had a guest coming over for whom I wanted to tidy up. While I was in there I turned off the light that had been on for three days (I cover utilities).  That was yesterday, and this morning she threatened me with legal action if I go into her room again.

I'd really like to turn off her lights before I go to bed, but I can't give advance notice, and if I ask her for permission she will 100% say no. 

Are the two points mentioned above good enough reason to constitute an 'emergency' or sufficient reason to enter her room? I know this isn't a legal forum but perhaps someone here has dealt with this before.

This is in the Denver, CO area.

Thanks in advance!

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Steve K.
  • Realtor
  • Boulder, CO
5,085
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2,860
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Steve K.
  • Realtor
  • Boulder, CO
Replied
Quote from @Theresa Harris:

You need her permission.  

Not in Colorado: “Given that the state lacks statutory guidance on the issue, landlords in Colorado are technically able to enter properties at any time without permission. As such, landlords and tenants must agree on entry notification policies in the lease.”.

 So, what does your lease say? 

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