1.Tenant obligations. A tenant may not unreasonably withhold consent to the landlord to enter into the dwelling unit in order to inspect the premises,
make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations or improvements, supply necessary or agreed services or exhibit
the dwelling unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workers or contractors.
A tenant may not change the lock to the dwelling unit without giving notice to the landlord and giving the landlord a duplicate
key within 48 hours of the change.
[
1999, c. 204, §1 (AMD)
.]
2.Landlord obligations. Except in the case of emergency or if it is impracticable to do so, the landlord shall give the tenant reasonable notice
of his intent to enter and shall enter only at reasonable times. Twenty-four hours is presumed to be a reasonable notice in
the absence of evidence to the contrary.
[
1981, c. 428, §10 (NEW)
.]
3.Remedy. If a landlord makes an entry in violation of this section, makes a lawful entry in an unreasonable manner or makes repeated
demands for entry otherwise lawful that have the effect of harassing the tenant, the tenant may recover actual damages or
$100, whichever is greater, and obtain injunctive relief to prevent recurrence of the conduct, and if the tenant obtains a
judgment after a contested hearing, reasonable attorney's fees.
If a tenant changes the lock and does not provide the landlord with a duplicate key, in the case of emergency the landlord
may gain admission through whatever reasonable means necessary and charge the tenant reasonable costs for any resulting damage.
If a tenant changes the lock and refuses to provide the landlord with a duplicate key, the landlord may terminate the tenancy
with a 7-day notice.
[
1999, c. 204, §1 (AMD)
.]
4.Waiver. Any agreement by a tenant to waive any of the rights or benefits provided by this section is against public policy and is
void.
[
1981, c. 428, §10 (NEW)
.]
SECTION HISTORY
1981, c. 428, §10 (NEW).
1999, c. 204, §1 (AMD).
Data for this page extracted on 02/01/2012 10:01:04.