Sex offender in rental unit in Indiana

[Kurt K.]

Hi BPers,

I have inherited a four-plex and come to find out one of the renters is a sex offender. He lives there with his wife. I have met them and they seem like nice people. Their lease expires in October this year and they pay on time every month. And I'm sure they would like to renew. I'm from out of state and I have a property management company looking after my rentals and that is going very well. Next month I will have two openings coming up in the four-plex that I will need to rent.

When showing a unit to a prospective renter, I don't think you can tell them that a renter within that four-plex has a sex offender living there, but I don't know what the law is. I was told you could tell them that they should always check the online sex offender database, but can't tell them a sex offender lives there. This is very awkward if a prospective renter has kids. Again, not sure the best way to handle this and I don't know the law is. Maybe laws are different in each state.

I thought about not renewing the sex offenders lease when it expires for the fact I am the new owner. Would that be the best solution? I'm sure they would know why I am not renewing their lease if they are good renters. 

Let me know if you have any suggestions. Thank you.