Landlady breaks verbal agreement

[knowledge]

California: We rented a house from a woman who said she would occasionally "stop by" and water the yard and hose off the patio with her previous tenant and indicated that she would be doing that with us too. We told her we would like it if she would call us a day in advance if she wanted to "stop by" and she agreed. Yesterday I came home unexpectedly and she was in my backyard watering. I confronted her on not keeping our agreement, which was verbal, but she said she is breaking the agreement. I read the law which only states a landlord can't enter the premises - does this mean the house itself, or does it include the backyard (which is gated, but not locked)/frontyard too?

 

[happylucky]

Well Knowledge:

If you dont want her over.......THEN YOU sign an agreemnt to take care of the Lawn.

YOU will have to water and cut the grass.....

Be happy the landlord cares enough to keep it looking good.

 

[knowledge]

Landlord/tenant issue

Dear happylucky:
Thanks for the reply. I did sign an agreement to water lawn and shrubs, and keep shrubs trimmed. I also pay for a gardener to mow and edge lawn - which was part of my rent agreement - I pay the landlady, she pays him. Her watering is not needed, as we water regularly - as agreed. I'm still wondering if she has the right to enter the backyard without giving us notice. What do you think?

 

[Djiin]

it is my understanding that in the event of an emergency only can a landlord enter the premises without your consent. Otherwise there is a 24 hour notice that needs to be provided, and you, as the tenant still can veto that. The obvious choice here tho is to LOCK the gate so that she cannot access the yard, as for the front yard- well, at least the neighbors would know when she was there, and if she "drops by" too often you may have a claim for harrasssment.