Tenant who is leaving is stalling on allowing showings

[Robbie McCarthy]

Anyone had this issue with NJ rentals and know our landlord rights? tenant did not notify us of his intention to leave at the end of his agreement  on 3/22 - we found out because they posted about their new home on FB!  Anyway we have a ton of interest from our advertisement,  so we set up open house viewings for this weekend Sat and Sun 11am-2pm. Tenant agreed. I set up all viewing appts. Now tenant saying they can't allow it as wife is ill.....dubious based on their history. What rights do we have for access and showing new prospective tenants around an occupied rental? Sure this is not unique.

[Andrew B.]

Depending on your lease, they did not give proper notice. Let them know that they will be responsible for any unrented days that they would otherwise be paying for, but if you get it re-rented they don't have to pay for those days. Its in their best interest to cooperate.

Just to be clear, you don't need their permission, you just have to post proper legal notice. However, I wouldn't show a unit with an unruly tenant still living there. That's your call on how much you wanna push it.

That being said, you may have to make concessions depending on if she is really sick, condition of property, etc. Many variables here.