Hi Fellow Landlords,

I have this tenant who refuse to let the plumber in to finish the bathroom (there is a 2nd functioning bathroom), she gives the plumber hard time because her schedule and the plumber's schedule does not match. The plumber does a regular 9 to 5 job.

It is been over 4 months and the bathroom is still not finished. I got a notice from Section 8 that they will hold the check until is done.

I gave the plumber key to the rental and told him to just go ahead. But I am afraid that the tenant will blame him for missing personal items. Maybe even call the cops on him.

What would you do as a landlord?

What does "finish a bathroom" entail? if you passed inspection, then the bathroom needs some minor fix job. Get a handyman to fix it at an hour that works for both..

If it is more than that, then you will send a certified letter to her and to her case worker to state the case.. And start eviction (if it is against any of your lease clause).

So either S8 person went for inspection there OR your tenant is complaining to them about the bathroom. If it's the latter then I would certainly contact them (phone, in person or in writing or maybe all three) and have that conversation about the fact that the tenant is refusing you to complete the work.

You need to let the Sec. 8 office know of the issue you are having with the tenant and access to the property. They the sec. 8 tenants are violating your lease (I hope) & the agreement they have with the sec. 8 office by not allowing access after proper notice has been given. You need to let them know that they are in violation of their lease and also get the sec. 8 office to put pressure on them for the lease violation.

Yeah. Another S8 success story!

I'm sure she is just worried about her gold and jewelry (and maybe cash wad) going missing. Or she might just be worried that he might get into her drug stash.

I know most LLs here are firmly against S8.. I do have some success stories. No need to shoot it down if it pays the bill and adds to the bottom line.. :)

One has been with us for 4+ years, kept the unit spotless, not a single nail hole on the wall. The only failed item during annual reinspection is the batteries in smoke detectors.

Since in Los Angeles a landlord can NOT evict a tenant when a unit/property has A item needing repair, this is what I do in your situation.

1. I install a lockbox with a key to the unit/property either on the front door or gas meter piping.

2. I post a 24 hour notice on the tenants front door that a plumber is coming to fix the leak/issue.

3. I tell my tenant that the plumber is coming and if they don't answer the door and let the plumber in, I will give the plumber the combination to the lockbox and they will let themselves in to do the work.

The next day the plumber comes over to the property, knocks on the door, rings the door bell and then get's they entry key from the lox box and goes inside.

Of course no plumber will do this so I ask another tenant to accompany the plumber in the unit. I pay the other tenant $20 and give the plumber a $20 tip also. Then I deduct $40 from my tenants deposit and send them a letter to document this.

I had section 8 tenant refuse to allow me inside on my second day of rebuilding a shower pan. So I posted a notice and the next day remove the rear door leaving only a screen door that did not lock. This way I could just walk right in.... Section 8 didn't understand until I play a recording of my drunk tenant no allowing me access....

Get the housing authority involved .... they are a good middle man in this situation.