Skip to content
×
PRO
Pro Members Get Full Access!
Get off the sidelines and take action in real estate investing with BiggerPockets Pro. Our comprehensive suite of tools and resources minimize mistakes, support informed decisions, and propel you to success.
Advanced networking features
Market and Deal Finder tools
Property analysis calculators
Landlord Command Center
$0
TODAY
$69.00/month when billed monthly.
$32.50/month when billed annually.
7 day free trial. Cancel anytime
Already a Pro Member? Sign in here

Join Over 3 Million Real Estate Investors

Create a free BiggerPockets account to comment, participate, and connect with over 3 million real estate investors.
Use your real name
By signing up, you indicate that you agree to the BiggerPockets Terms & Conditions.
The community here is like my own little personal real estate army that I can depend upon to help me through ANY problems I come across.
General Landlording & Rental Properties
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

Updated over 6 years ago,

User Stats

23
Posts
23
Votes
Alison P.
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Missouri
23
Votes |
23
Posts

When one tenant's child damaged another tenant's vehicle?

Alison P.
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Missouri
Posted

Last night I got a call from a tenant who saw his neighbor's child stomping all over the hood of his truck and has done quite a bit of damage.  He had suspected something was going on so the day before had put up a security camera and caught it all on camera.  There is a twist though. This is on a mobile home park that I recently purchased.  The mobile where the child lives had a back door that was screwed shut because it was in such bad shape.  2 weeks ago I had a new back door installed to the tune of around $400 (it had to be a special order). The tenant has young autistic twin boys, who are very hard to control.  As soon as the back door was installed, the boys quickly figured out how to unlock it and started to escape and run off. I was told by another of the tenants that they kept going over to hers. At this point she didn't mind so I didn't pursue it.  Not once have I been contacted by the mother of the boys to tell me there is an issue.  BUT now they have willfully damaged a pretty expensive pickup truck belonging to another neighbor.  He called me last night to let me know what had happened and that he had filed a police report but couldn't get a hold of the mother because she was working.

The mother works all hours and the boys are being looked after by their teenage sister.

My question is: Is any of this my responsibility?  I don't feel like I have any responsibility for this tenant's children and that it is wholly her responsibility to control her children and pay for the damage.  I did my due diligence by making sure they had a safe exit to use in the case of an emergency. I haven't yet contacted the mother and don't know if I should get involved at this stage or try and stay out of it.  Surely it's between the mother and the man who's truck her children damaged.

I would appreciate any advice, opinions, comments. Thank you.

Loading replies...