Even if you could, why lock someone's stuff in the property and prevent them from getting their belongings?

It doesn't prevent anyone from suing you if a tenant falls through a hole in the kitchen floor and the oven topples over and hits them on the head.

A certified letter saying "no" or "OK, but" will prevent this. 

This will prevent anyone from changing their mind.

This saves me and staff time from driving multiple times to properties, it prevents wasting time in the event of a no-show, and I found it creates a sense of urgency in potential tenants as when they come they see other folks looking at the unit. 

Yes, and I was recently told to leave 12" of space between the house and mulch to prevent termites.

Basically Jay is saying you need to somehow get current in order to prevent the foreclosure.

It may actually prevent some bad vibes when it comes to doing business with family.I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area but I have have rentals in Cleveland and here in the Bay Area. 

If the HOA is defunct, not operating properly, is underfunded, or has any other issues, it can prevent financing challenges for future owners (read this affects your exit), and effects the quality of the overall property.

The don't want the tenant to leave, so not cooperating with you might prevent a vacancy for them.