Tenant harasses neighbors

[Jon Klaus]

An elderly couple with a profoundly disabled adult son and adult daughter )care-giver) are being harassed by the next door tenant. They've owned the home for nearly 20 years and don't have trouble with any other neighbors,

Examples of harassment. Yelling at family, making vague threats, cutting fence so dogs can get through, creating loud noise after midnight, and more. Specifically targeting daughter with passive/aggressive behavior and rude comments. The police have warned him to stop making threats and stay off neighbor's property, but no arrests have been made (for the harassment, anyway). There is evidence of substance addiction. My guess is meth.

This tenant is probably judgment proof in a civil suit. He most likely pays his rent with barter of his handyman services. Normally, this home would rent for $1300-$1600 a month or sell for $225K.

The family has significant anxiety, fearing violence. The police say he hasn't committed a crime, but know he is trouble. Previously, the landlord has ignored or downplayed complaints, Once, when several neighbors complained, the tenant moved out, only to return after several months,

On a side note, this has been a poorly managed property since the landlord bought it several years ago, It's never been legitimately leased.

Suggestions? Leverage with the landlord?

[Michael Rossi]

I would wait until the druggies rape and kill the daughter before doing anything. Oh, that doesn't sound like a good plan, does it? But that is the position that the police are taking. "To Protect and Serve".....what a joke!

The TRUTH is that YOU are the only one that can protect yourself and your family. Texas has good gun laws. I would encourage the elderly couple and their daughter to get guns (the great equalizer) and the training to be able to use them. Take all threats seriously. I would continue to call the police with each incident and the daughter should pursue a restraining order against the freaks. They might also have a lawyer send a letter to the landlord, threatening legal action. Often the threat of legal action would be enough to get the landlord's attention.