Enter property where children may be home alone?

[Chris DeTreville]

I had given 24 hour written notice to a tenant to go in to her house and inspect some work that a contractor had done about a week ago at the owners request. This is in a really bad, low income neighborhood. The tenant would not answer phone calls. So I go out today at the scheduled time, and knock on the door. I can hear the tv on (what sounds like cartoons) and after I knock a young boy looks thought the blinds and asks who I am. I tell him I am with the property management company and ask if his mother his home. He disappears and I knock several more times and nobody ever comes to the door. I call my boss and we both agree that it is a bad idea for me to go inside the home with the children present. I am pretty sure the mother was home but just didn't come to the door, but I wasn't sure. I would think that going inside with children home without supervision could open up all sorts of potential issues. When I told the owner I was not able to enter today, the owner was upset. My plan is to try again on the phone tomorrow and then post another notice, and when I go back again I am going to take someone with me. Question is, what if I run into the same situation? Obviously there are some major issues with anyone leaving young children home alone...and I could mention something about that in my letter...but I don't really want to open that can of worms either. I'm really just curious as to what you would do in the situation. Would you have entered?

[Joel Owens]

NO do not enter. Have a witness when you do eventually inspect. The landlord in most leases has a right to access to property for repairs and inspections.

If they do it again using the kid and not answering the door they might be hiding something else they do not want you to see. If they deny you a second time post a notice to evict based on a violation of the lease.

Before that tell the lady you have to inspect and she needs to give you a time she will be there. If she blows you off again at that time they are hiding something. You could wait until someone wants to go in the front door and gain access that way.

At some point you will have to force access if they have the run around.

No legal advice.