Renter Not Granting Access to Cellar for Meter Readings. Options ?
I am the owner of a two unit building/row house. I live in the upstairs duplex and the tenant lives downstairs. We do not have access to the cellar due to the configuration of the rental….We have received notices from the gas company, as the electronic meter reading does not seem to be working. Our…
I am the owner of a two unit building/row house. I live in the upstairs duplex and the tenant lives downstairs. We do not have access to the cellar due to the configuration of the rental….We have received notices from the gas company, as the electronic meter reading does not seem to be working. Our tenant has not allowed access/is not home – and not has provided permission for us to grant access (previous tenants did when needed with advance notice and this was never a problem). Note this is the first time we have requested access ever of this tenant and it is proving to be a problem. In addition we are doing renovations soon that will require cutting of the gas line for an hour or so (it is in everyone’s interest !) which will also require access to the cellar. What recourse is available to us ? We have already tried phone calls and emails and do not get a response. Note we have been on good terms, but granting access seems to be an issue. Thanks !
Info on National Grid installation of AMRs: http://bit.ly/gaESxg
Info on LL access: http://bit.ly/hprwwZ
Really, your post is about the much broader subject of how you conduct yourself and your business as a LL. Setting that aside, as LL you have a right to a set of keys by law, even if the tenant has changed the lock or added an additional lock to what already existed. Do NOT change their lock or threaten them with changing their lock and/or holding them responsible for cost of locksmith.
Your tenant cannot prevent you from entering the premises to do necessary repairs. It is usually stated in most leases if not all. Give them notice and then do what you have to do. Unless they have something illegal going on or have people living there that shouldn’t I don’t understand them not granting access.Next time make sure you tell the ground level tenant about the access needed for utility readers and or boiler repair or whatever.
If your meters are over 10 years old, the replacement charge is waived. At least that was the case for me recently. BTW, the charge is $75 per meter that was waived. Not a big deal.
while National Grid can do RFID they are not required to in NYC. You want it, you pay for it. The tenant is required to give reasonable access on notice. You can tell them that the gas meter is read once a month generally on x day but if they are not home you need keys to have access to the basement for repairs, meters and an emergency. if they refuse, tell them you nicely you would hate to have them pay for a locksmith to do it as its is a requirement of law and generally in the lease…
Most tenants understand.
National Grid can install meters that can be read outside. Not sure if they RFID, but they do not require direct access to read them anymore with the newer meters.
Do you think they have a meth lab?
Have you tried knocking on their door when you know they are home and explained the situation? Or has the communication been mostly via phone/email?
I agree with Rick. Every lease I have ever signed allows the landlord access to property to deal with repairs and utilities. The lease should determine the amount of notice you have to give. If the tenant has changed the locks, call a locksmith and change them again – every lease I have ever signed required me to provide the landlord with keys to any lock I changed. If the tenant doesn’t like it too bad. I doubt that the Housing Court will be too sympathetic to a tenant who refuses reasonable access, but then this is New York.
You own the building, you have keys. Give them notice of a day or two, put it in writing and do what you need to do.