Concern (in English):
I am seeking assistance because of a stressful situation regarding a rented property in Quezon City. I rented and fully paid for an office/residential property. Renovation was challenging, but I pushed through. After the renovation, I instructed my employee to report to the office. However, the lessor refused to allow my employee access, despite me explaining multiple times that they were authorized to enter. The lessor then gave me a final deadline of September 24 to remove my belongings from the property but stated they would not return my security deposit or rent payments.

∇ Legal Contemplator

1. Foundational Observations

The tenant (you) entered into a rental agreement for an office/residential property in Quezon City.
The rent was fully paid, and renovations were undertaken—likely with the intention of using the property for work and/or business purposes.
After renovations were completed, the lessor prevented authorized individuals (employees) from entering the property.
The lessor unilaterally set a deadline for vacating the premises and refused to return the deposit and unused rent payments.

Several key questions emerge immediately:

Was there a written lease agreement?
This is crucial for understanding the obligations of both parties. Lease agreements typically outline rights related to access, deposit refunds, and termination terms.
Did the lessor provide a valid reason for barring access?
A lessor’s refusal to allow access without justification may breach tenant rights.
What legal remedies exist under Philippine law?
Tenant-landlord disputes often fall under specific provisions of the Civil Code of the Philippines and related jurisprudence.

Let’s break these down further to explore the implications.

2. The Nature of the Lease Agreement
Here, we must question the existence, form, and clarity of the lease agreement.

If there’s no written contract, the agreement may still be binding if supported by evidence of payments, receipts, or verbal commitments. But a written lease provides clearer terms and stronger legal footing.
A written lease often specifies conditions for access, eviction, and deposit forfeiture. Did it mention:
- Restrictions on access?
- The process for refunding deposits?
- Termination or eviction procedures?

If such terms were absent or unclear, the lessor’s actions could be deemed arbitrary. Let’s keep this in mind as we explore further.

3. Denial of Access: Was It Justifiable?
The lessor refused access to your authorized representative (employee). The reason for this refusal is unclear, which raises important questions:

Was the refusal based on legitimate grounds? For example:
- Security concerns, such as lack of proper identification?
- A claim that the employee wasn’t authorized under the lease terms?
If the refusal had no valid basis, the lessor might have violated your right to peaceful enjoyment of the leased property.

Under Article 1654 of the Civil Code, the lessor is obligated to:

Deliver the property in a condition suitable for the agreed use.
Maintain the tenant’s peaceful enjoyment of the property during the lease term.

Blocking entry without justification may constitute a breach of these obligations.

4. Deadline to Vacate and Forfeiture of Payments
The lessor gave you a deadline of September 24 to vacate the property and refused to refund your deposit and rent. This creates two key issues:

Was the deadline legal and reasonable?
- Did the lessor provide proper notice? Typically, a lessor must give formal notice before terminating a lease, especially if the tenant is not in breach.
- Was there mutual agreement on vacating the premises? Unilateral demands are usually insufficient.
Is forfeiture of payments lawful?
- Deposits: Security deposits are typically refundable unless the tenant damages the property or fails to pay rent. Arbitrary forfeiture is not allowed.
- Unused Rent: If the tenant paid for a period beyond September 24, the lessor must refund the unused portion unless specific contractual terms justify otherwise.

5. Legal Remedies Under Philippine Law
In situations like this, several remedies may apply:

Demand Letter: The first step is often to send a formal demand letter to the lessor, requesting:
- Refund of the security deposit and any unused rent.
- Explanation for the denial of access.
Filing a Complaint: If the lessor refuses to comply, you may file a complaint:
- Barangay Mediation: Disputes between tenants and landlords are often resolved through mediation at the barangay level.
- Small Claims Court: If the dispute involves amounts under ₱400,000, you may pursue a case in the Small Claims Court for faster resolution.
- Civil Action: For larger amounts or more complex cases, filing a civil action for breach of contract may be necessary.

6. Ethical and Practical Considerations
While pursuing legal remedies, consider practical alternatives:

Would negotiating directly with the lessor yield better results?
Is the value of the deposit and rent worth the potential time and cost of litigation?

However, fairness and principle may drive you to pursue justice regardless of the cost.

7. Remaining Uncertainties and Questions

What exactly was stated in the lease agreement, if one exists?
Why did the lessor refuse access to your employee?
Was the demand to vacate tied to specific breaches or merely arbitrary?
Did you document communications and events (e.g., photos, emails, receipts)?

Without answers to these, any legal advice remains incomplete. If these details are clarified, the case becomes much stronger.

Final Answer:
You may have grounds to challenge the lessor’s actions under Philippine law. Consider the following steps:

Review the lease agreement for terms related to access, deposits, and termination.
Document evidence of payments, communications, and the denial of access.
Send a demand letter to the lessor, seeking:
- Refund of your deposit and unused rent.
- An explanation for the denial of access.
File a complaint if the lessor refuses to comply:
- Start with barangay mediation.
- Escalate to Small Claims Court or Civil Court, depending on the amount involved.

Pursue these remedies to assert your rights and potentially recover your losses.