Q: Do I have to allow inspectors into my apartment during COVID19 if they are from a highly infested area?
I am a disabled 65-yr old with multiple health issues that make my chance of surviving COVID highly unlikely, living in a county with 135 cases of COVID. Inspectors from Columbus, which has the highest number of cases and deaths in Ohio, are planning to walk through my apartment. Am I required by law to let them into my safe sanctuary? Can I be evicted for refusing access?
A: Landlord is allowed by law to inspect after giving reasonable notice. But if you refuse entry, there is not much landlord can do about it. Landlord could call the police, but are unlikely to force you to let landlord enter. If landlord tries to force his way in, call the police. If you refuse entry, landlord could file to evict you. But that would take months, and the judge might be sympathetic to your situation and dismiss it. Advise landlord of your health status and that you will not allow entry. Offer to send photos to landlord of your apartment instead. Use the Find a Lawyer tab and retain a local attorney to deal with landlord and advise landlord you will seek an injunction to prevent entry.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
