Dispute between Tenants and I'm in the middle

Dispute between Tenants and I'm in the middle

South Easton, MA · Member since 2013 · 18 posts · 1 vote

I have a situation with two tenants (two single women) in an up/down duplex who are currently feuding. I originally told them to work it out themselves but I then foolishly allowed myself to get dragged into the middle and I’m not sure how to handle it at this point. They lived there in relative peace for almost 3yrs until the downstairs tenant’s sister screamed at the upstairs tenant for playing music too loudly one day two months ago. Since then, it’s been a constant back and forth. They’re both retired and don’t leave very often so they’re in house house almost 24/7. One makes a noise and the other bangs on the floor/ceiling and then it just escalates. So bad that they we’re screaming at each other and a police cruiser driving by stopped and got involved. I’m not there so I get two completely different stories from each tenant. One says the other is banging all day and one says the other is doing it. Neither is innocent and I’ve told them both multiple times that they need to act like adults and be respectful of the other (music and noise to a minimum during the day and nothing at night as stated in the leases.) Yesterday, the upstairs tenant actually tried to extend an olive branch by offering to help shovel snow and talk to the downstairs tenant about the situation. Downstairs tenant shot her down and said she had nothing to say to her (told me she sounded phony and not sincere) so at midnight the upstairs tenant supposedly started pounding on the floor for an hour, I guess in retaliation...

These two grown women are both acting like petty children and they expect me to be the parent. Both pay their rent on time and the house is in Massachusetts so evicting either could be a potential nightmare dragged out for god knows how long. What’s my next step? 

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Member since 2016 · 13k+ posts · 12k+ votes
7y

Tell both of them that if you get one more complaint that you will flip a coin and decide which lease you will not be renewing.

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  • Member since 2016 · 13k+ posts · 12k+ votes
    7y

    Tell both of them that if you get one more complaint that you will flip a coin and decide which lease you will not be renewing.

  • Rental Property Investor · South shore, MA · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    7y

    Do you have anything in the lease regarding noise complaints, or consideration for others? If you do, then give a written notice to both tenants to resolve the issue or you will bring it to legal action to terminate their residency. Both are being disturbed, both are breaking the lease agreement. 

    Id have it delivered by constable too, so you have proof.

  • Rental Property Investor · Erie, PA · Member since 2018 · 6k+ posts · 9k+ votes
    7y

    I’d tell them you have no choice and one must go to keep the peace in the building . Get serious with them and ask each one if they will consider a voluntary end of tenancy . If neither do then I’d just not renew on the one who has the lowest rent or the least credit worthy 

  • Specialist · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2015 · 909 posts · 297 votes
    7y

    diddo what @Dennis M. said.. 

  • Rental Property Investor · Northern, CA · Member since 2012 · 5k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    7y

    If it's just a duplex, then it sounds like they're the only two tenants and they're not disturbing any other tenants besides themselves, right?  Just stay out of it and tell them you're not getting involved. 

    I certainly wouldn't go through the time/expense of eviction for this as long as both are paying their rent.

  • Joe SplitrockPro Member
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    Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Tony Murphy:

    I have a situation with two tenants (two single women) in an up/down duplex who are currently feuding. I originally told them to work it out themselves but I then foolishly allowed myself to get dragged into the middle and I’m not sure how to handle it at this point. They lived there in relative peace for almost 3yrs until the downstairs tenant’s sister screamed at the upstairs tenant for playing music too loudly one day two months ago. Since then, it’s been a constant back and forth. They’re both retired and don’t leave very often so they’re in house house almost 24/7. One makes a noise and the other bangs on the floor/ceiling and then it just escalates. So bad that they we’re screaming at each other and a police cruiser driving by stopped and got involved. I’m not there so I get two completely different stories from each tenant. One says the other is banging all day and one says the other is doing it. Neither is innocent and I’ve told them both multiple times that they need to act like adults and be respectful of the other (music and noise to a minimum during the day and nothing at night as stated in the leases.) Yesterday, the upstairs tenant actually tried to extend an olive branch by offering to help shovel snow and talk to the downstairs tenant about the situation. Downstairs tenant shot her down and said she had nothing to say to her (told me she sounded phony and not sincere) so at midnight the upstairs tenant supposedly started pounding on the floor for an hour, I guess in retaliation...

    These two grown women are both acting like petty children and they expect me to be the parent. Both pay their rent on time and the house is in Massachusetts so evicting either could be a potential nightmare dragged out for god knows how long. What’s my next step? 

    Talk to each of them independently and tell them you are asking them BOTH to consider giving notice and finding a new property. They are both acting in a hostile manner and tell them that is not the type of property you run. My guess is they will each be defensive and suggest the other should leave. Tell them that is why you are asking them both to leave. Should they chose not to stay, they are not to contact you further on the matter.

    If a tenant is violating noise ordinances, they are to contact the police. They are only to contact you regarding matters that affect the safety or mechanical operation of the property. "I don't like the way tenant B is acting" is not your responsibility. 

    If you get complaints, do not respond. Let calls go to voice mail. If they corner you, remind them that they chose to stay and you clearly told them the rules.

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