Is it possible to open an apartment if the owner is not there right now?

This is one of the situations where the technical ability to open the door and the right to do so are completely different things. Let's imagine the situation.

There is no one in the apartment, but a problem has arisen:

• water leakage;
• threat to neighbors' property;
• other emergency.

The question arises:

“Can I just call a master and open the apartment?”

The usual statement “the owner is not responding right now” is not enough.

Why a master should be careful

The emergency opening specialist gains physical access to the enclosed space. Therefore, he must ensure that the work is carried out legally. Otherwise, a technical service may actually provide access to a person who is not entitled to it.

What to do in case of a utility accident

If the problem is related to, for example, water or another engineering emergency, the first step should usually be to contact:

• facility manager;
• apartment association;
• emergency service;
• if necessary, by the relevant government services.

It is they who must determine the further legal order of access.

Why don't we carry over old instructions literally?

The original article describes the procedure in another country and legal system. For Estonia, requirements for specific documents, police or the procedure for drawing up acts cannot be automatically copied.

But the general principle remains correct: The emergency worker should not independently decide who is allowed to enter someone else’s premises.

What if a relative asks to open the owner’s apartment?

Kinship itself does not always prove right of access. The same applies to:

• ex-spouse;
• the tenant after the end of the contract;
• familiar owner;
• neighbor.

First you need to establish a legal basis for work.