Renters her deducting security cameras and monitoring

[David B.]

I live in Ventura California and have a SFH rental in the area that I self manage. Our tenants were burglarized last month and lost $20,000 in jewelry and possessions. The tenant left a window open in the kids room while they were at work. The tenant said that I did not give them warning that the neighborhood was unsafe. I lived in this neighborhood for 10 years and never had a problem. The tenant is asking us to pay for the security system and monitoring. They got 16 cameras and spot lights all around the house at a cost of $3800. They are six months into their one year lease and have said that they will exercise the option for the one-year extension. Should I keep them happy and pay $200 per month until it is payed off? Should I say no because they did this without permission?

[Aaron Treloar]

Does your lease address alterations/repairs?  If they didn't approve the cost/alterations prior to doing the installation you are not obligated to repay them.

You cannot legally tell them the neighborhood is "unsafe" as that could be considered steering.  That research is a tenant responsibility prior to moving.