I have a landline problem and have a Verizon repair visit scheduled. Verizon has indicated they may need access to their equipment box which is in the backyard of my building. The only access to the backyard is through the apartment of a tenant.
When I called the repair office to arrange access, I was told to contact the super to do this. When I spoke to the super, he said I had to arrange this directly with the tenant, who is new to the building and not known to me. I got no answer when I knocked on her door, so, at the super's suggestion, I left her a note. In the note, I explained the situation, and, since my schedule is flexible, I offered to arrange the repair appointment at whatever time was most convenient for her. I included my contact information, but she has not gotten back to me.
I'm not sure how to proceed at this point if in fact the repair involves accessing the outside box. In this type of situation, is the landlord required to provide a way to access the box? Can the landlord refuse access so that the tenant is unable to have working basic utilities, in this case a landline phone?