How to handle property manager leasing to person with warrants for drugs burglary etc

[Cristin Andrews]

Hi. I just went through fixing up my rental that had about 10K damage from previous renters ( in a B neighborhood) in Houston. This is my only property and it is the house I raised my kids in in a nice family neighborhood. After this experience I decided to hire a certified property manager to screen tenants and handle things going forward. I interviewed and selected a property management company (did not go for just cheapest option) and they rented the place out but wouldn't  give me any detail on the new renters until today when they picked up the keys for a one year lease. All they would tell me was that they met the 3x salary requirements. I raised a concern that a couple without kids was renting such a huge house (4 bedroom plus study and game room) and asked if they thought that was a red flag and the property management company said no. Once I received the lease today,  I did a quick google search on the names and found out within 30 seconds that the 25 yr old one has 20 open warrants for things like possession with intent to sell, burglary, drunk driving and so on over a 5 year period. A few of them were disposed and the others are still in process. The other tenant is a 22 yr old. With no actual convictions yet is there anything I can do? My best friend lives across the street with her kids and I'm terrified now that I have brought danger onto their street. I'm also concerned that they will start dealing drugs out of my house. We are using the standard suggested har lease. 

[Nathan Gesner]

Quote from @Cristin Andrews:

A 25-year-old and a 22-year-old renting a 4bed house is automatically a red flag that justifies additional scrutiny. Even if they could afford it, why would people that young want such a large, expensive house? They may be planning to airbnb it or turn it into a party house.

I would have a hard talk with your PM about their screening process and ask them specifically how they checked the backgrounds and what they found. Point them to your evidence.

If your PM is even half-way professional, they will admit their error and find a way to get these tenants out of there. Most applications ask the Tenant if they have any criminal history so you could evict the Tenants for lying on their application.