Rent by Room- Inappropriate Tennant Behavior

Rent by Room- Inappropriate Tennant Behavior

Member since 2022 · 5 posts · 4 votes

Hello all, I'm a new investor renting my first property out by the room and I need some advice on a difficult situation. There are three tenants in the single family home.

I recently received troubling reports form Roommate A (female) that Roommate B (male) has been acting inappropriately. Most of these events were also witnessed by Roommate C. Apparently Roommate B has been cornering Roommate A in the common spaces and standing uncomfortably close. It escalated to one event where Roommate B grabbed Roommate A's arm. This is completely inappropriate and I have asked that Roommates A and C please write me an email containing all inappropriate behavior by Roommate B. I have had small, unrelated issues with Roommate B in the past (small things like loud music and failure to clean up after himself in the kitchen).

My issue is that I clearly don't want any of this behavior going on inside my property, but I don't have anything in the lease that expressly states personal boundaries and I'm not sure that this would constitute a violation of law. It seem that they have discussed the issue with Roommate B, but he has been obstinate. 

Is a notice to vacate appropriate here? How long would the notice need to be? If a written warning is necessary first, I'm not sure exactly how to phrase it. Any guidance would be much appreciated. I will be adding things like this to my future leases.

Thank you.

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Investor · Charlottesville Virginia · Member since 2021 · 348 posts · 346 votes
3y

100% the police should be involved here, this is assault. 

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  • Chris SeveneyBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Investor · VA · Member since 2015 · 21k+ posts · 19k+ votes
    3y

    @Travis Rush

    1. You need to get an attorney to rewrite your lease as this is one way you could be sued as your tenant is being harassed and you are not doing anything

    2. Give notice to vacate immediately.

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  • Bjorn AhlbladPro Member
    Investor · Shelton, WA · Member since 2017 · 6k+ posts · 6k+ votes
    3y

    @Travis Rush What roommate b did and has been doing to roommate a constitutes assault and you should encourage the tenant to report the matter to the police, stay out of it as much as possible would be my advice. Do seek legal advice as well.

  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    3y

    Less drama if you make this a single family property. 

  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Travis Rush:

    1. Housing strangers of the opposite sex together is a recipe for disaster. Stick with all-male or all-female, period.

    2. Terminate the lease of Tenant B right now. You have grounds because they physically assaulted the other Tenant and their behavior is threatening. In the future, your lease should have rules specifically spelling out the consequences of bullying, harassing, invading private space, use of other's personal belongings, noise, and many other roommate situations. Even if it were an all-female situation, you can still have certain behaviors that interfere with one's right to quiet enjoyment and you need rules/consequences in place to nip those problems in the bud so your tenants feel safe.

    3. Roommate A may want to consider reporting this to the police. That will put additional pressure on Tenant B to move out and it documents the situation in case it escalates.

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  • Investor · Charlottesville Virginia · Member since 2021 · 348 posts · 346 votes
    3y

    100% the police should be involved here, this is assault. 

  • Colleen F.Pro Member
    Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    3y

    @Travis Rush  I hope you have month to month agreements.  If the roommate has been threatened make clear to them the first call is to the police, not you.  Of course you want to know, of course you are going to address. However if the police determine it is an assualt the tenant can get a temporary restraining order and the at fault tenant has to leave.  That triggers any clause you have regarding police or criminal activity. And be clear to the tenants you are not as immediate a response as the police and don't know the law as well as they hopefully do.

    Just handling behind the scenes puts you and the residents in a bad situation. If they aren't willing to report the behavior you could listen to all parties version and terminate the lease of the person who is at fault but this is a much slower process.  

  • Austin, TX · Member since 2019 · 5k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    3y

    The young woman ought to have been smarter and not have moved in with 2 "BOYS" in the first place....maybe she will be smarter in the future.

    Maybe a few beers and this guy becomes Don Juan/Casanova (???)

    Old Mr Roper on Three's Company would not have put up with this at all.

    What an uncomfortable situation to have to deal with as an owner.

  • Jay ThomasPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Houston, TX · Member since 2021 · 1k+ posts · 715 votes
    3y

    Single-family properties are often a great choice for those looking to avoid drama. Having a single family home provides more privacy and fewer conflicts over resources like parking spaces or shared living areas, making it an ideal option for those who prefer a peaceful atmosphere. With the right care and maintenance, these homes can be a great place to create lasting memories with your loved ones. So if you're looking for a simple way, consider investing in a single-family property!

  • Lender · Washington DC · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    3y

    No one can advise you without seeing your leases. If the female did not call the police it's probably too late to call after the fact, law enforcement will ask why the delay?

    You are picking the co tenants? Why put a young woman in with two men? If you go to court the question will arrive as to your judgement.

    Since you have nothing in the lease, B dude could fight an eviction. B dude sounds like the guy to move, but you might also suggest on the phone to A that this process will take time, maybe months. She puts herself at risk while waiting for the resolution. Leasing implies you provide a residence with safety. Since B argues with you, this is not going down fast or easy. 

  • Colleen F.Pro Member
    Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    3y

    @Travis Rush  I had a similar situation between two women in one of my rentals and they did call the police. One was arrested, causing one to move because the other got a restraining order.  Even with single gender residences you can get issues.

  • Member since 2020 · 41 posts · 26 votes
    3y

    @Scott Mac 

    Are you seriously victim blaming here?

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