Utility Company Visits: Leave a Key or Waste a Day

[Brian O'Connor]

Hi BP:

As a landlord, which approach do you typically choose when dealing with utility (e.g., gas company) or handyman/contractor visits:

1. Leave a key

• Pros: no one's time is wasted
• Cons: lock up your pets and valuables!

2. Hang out at the property

• Pros: you or the tenant know what's going on, can ask questions
• Cons: what a waste of a day!

Each option has it's pros and cons, but what's been your approach?

I'm helping a family member manage a property, and a recent call to the local gas company sparked this curiosity. The gas company said a technician would be at the tenant's property between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on the day of the appointment. When I asked if they could narrow the time down closer to the day of the appointment, or call shortly before the technician arrived, they said no such luck. If you're not there, they leave. The only other option is to leave a key.

It's asking a lot of a tenant to be home during that big of a window, so we went with the key option. However, I was curious about the forum.

Also, do any of you have any tricks or tips for these situations?

- Brian

[Matthew Paul]

If the unit is occupied , I require the tenant to be there for service , if its myself or another trade . Why ? There cant be an accusation of theft . If the tenant doesnt like waiting , too bad , we all have to wait for things , I have to wait for the cable guy , or the AC repairman where I live , so will the tenant if not , it doesnt get fixed