Meter Access For Tenants - Ohio

[Account Closed]

Hey guys, 

I will try and summarize the situation quickly.

One of my apartments (5plex) has back office / basement area where we store some of our repair equipment for the property management, such as desk, office equipment, paint, tile, windows, some files, and keys to the 20 units that this particular property manager of mine manages for me, plus other misc items as needed for repair work. This area also has access to the basement of the 5plex which is where the gas meters / water meters are held. I pay all gas bills at this property, tenants pay electric and water. The electric meters are outside. 

Currently The owner (myself), my property manager, the city administrators office (to read water meters), and my repairman have a key to this location. One of my tenants is complaining that I am breaking the law not allowing for full access to his water meter 24/7. This is a difficult tenant, and probably contributes to 30% of the calls that my property manager makes for his property load that he manages for me. 

In place at the moment, we have in a rule that he can request access to the meters Monday - Friday as long as he is accompanied by another team member and this request will be met within 24 hours. One of my workers, the property manager, or myself if I am out there - I check in on my properties at least once a week in person. I will be releasing this memo as it was only a verbal communication when put into place as to cover my butt, and also present the concern to city council on the matter at the next meeting with the memo also presented. 

I want to ensure that I am doing enough, and that I have a leg to stand on here as I stand my ground on the issue. I simply do not want to grant unlimited access to a tenant to an area with thousands of dollars of equipment and materials, and keys to 20 units within a 5 mile radius. Am I in the wrong? Any input on how I can best meet the tenants needs without stepping over any legal or ethical boundaries? Let me know what you guys think! Thank you! :)