Neighbor intolerance issues.

[Rennie K.]

Situation: I own a half duplex in a neighborhood which is a mix of rental single family homes and owner-occupied homes. My next door owner-neighbor is very picky and she keeps complaining to the city about tenants next door (in my rental unit). She will make-up things and complain to the city about things that are untrue and no violations of city code. The city people come and check it out and they find nothing wrong and talk to the tenants and leave.

This has happened couple times. My tenants do not like this – they are hard working people who want to be left alone and not harassed or inconvenienced.

What could be the motivation of the owner-neighbor? I think she does not want the next door place to be a rental. She would rather have an owner live next door. Its possible she or her relative wants to buy the next door place (my rental). Her real-estate agent relative has approached me to sell the place but I don’t want to.

What are my options? Should I write a letter to the city with copy to her to stop harassing my tenants? What are my legal options?

[George P.]

She doesn't want to buy it, nor does she want u to list it. She simply doesn't like it to be a rental.  I have tons of that happening.  I just go and talk to them and calm their fears.  Then I show them the website and explain that trash does not enter our properties.  If the neighborhood is having problems with our tenants, I must be having bigger issues with them..