Possible Break In

[Samuel Mutschler]

SFH 2 bed, 2 bath. Tenants are related and both over 18. One tenant claims people are breaking into the house and hitting her at night. I've asked for police reports, received nothing, went to the house and found no damage or evidence of forced entry. The other tenant has never contacted me about the break-ins. I've combed through a year's worth of police reports and found no phone record from the property. The tenant threatens to get lawyers, my concern is their safety, but I can't get any justification to make improvements to the property for security. Tenant also claims they lost the key so I quoted her to change the locks because I will not pay for the locks if they lost key. Tenant said they couldn't afford for me to change the locks.

I’ve thought through two options. 

1. Lease is up in 4 months, probably going to put it under management and the tenants will likely move out.

2. Provide the tenant an option to install a security system at a cost to them, since there are no police reports about break-ins. 

I’m already planning to find a solid real estate/landlord tenant lawyer in the interim to be prepared for whatever might result in the month. 

If anyone has experienced something similar any recommendations would be appreciated. 

[Nathan Gesner]

Quote from @Samuel Mutschler:

This is mental illness, substance abuse, or someone trying to get out of their lease.

I would tell them the rental is unsafe and they should leave. Give them 14 days to vacate with no penalty. If they choose to stay, make it clear they are accepting the property as is. Also make it clear that you won't renew their lease when it expires.