What to do about bad tenant neighbors!?

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What to do about bad tenant neighbors!?

Cody F.
Rental Property Investor 路 Auburn, AL 路 Member since 2018 路 50 posts 路 20 votes

We moved to a gated community thinking it would be safe, and we would have tons of good neighbors but we overlooked that there is a small house next door that is brown and sort of blends in with the scenery so we didn't let that dictate our buying choice.  The people who used to live there were a small family with a traveling nurse as the head of the household.  They were decent neighbors BUT,

When they moved out, they were replaced with some people that look to be straight from the ghetto. I'm talking white-T's down to their knees, sagging jeans, and a pit-bull in the front yard.  They now have 3 busted up old cars in the driveway and the pit bull in the front yard that barks all the time.  The other day I saw them drinking beer in the front yard with like a group of 4 white-T's 

I don't like it because we paid a high price to live here, and it's a gated community so a higher caliber of people should be common here. Now I have to drive past this eye-sore every day and worry about my home getting broken into when I leave. It seems like they're always there, which makes sense because the owner said the tenant is on disability so they likely don't work.  He also said that the tenant plans to be there for a long time. JUST GREAT!!! 

I dug up some clues on the owner of the property, he's an older gentleman who used to live in the property years ago.  It was one of the first properties built in the community so it's grandfathered in which is how they get away with having a dirt driveway.  They really just park anywhere in the yard.  I have complained to the owner but he says the tenants aren't doing anything wrong, and if they are, that I should go to the Residential association to have them handle it. I asked if he had a pet policy on the lease, and he doesn't. He sounded like he might not even have a lease agreement because he sounded confused when I asked him. 

I'm trying to figure out what options I have.  What buttons I can press, or levers I can pull to work on the situation.     

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Dennis M.
Rental Property Investor 路 Erie, PA 路 Member since 2018 路 6k+ posts 路 9k+ votes
6y

If you can鈥檛 beat em join em ! I would just start wearing my pants without a belt , listening to rap music and take up drinking malt liquor out of 40ounce bottles on my front porch .

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  • Christopher Brainard
    Rental Property Investor 路 Rockwall, TX 路 Member since 2015 路 891 posts 路 701 votes
    6y

    Unless they're breaking the law or violating a city ordinance, there isn't anything you can (or should) do. If your community has a HOA, you can report them for any violations of the HOA rules, but its up to the board to enforce them. You can always talk to the owner and attempt to buy the home from them - then you would be able to control the appearance of the property or select the tenants yourself.

    -Christopher

    0Reply
  • Russ B.
    Investor 路 Cleveland, OH 路 Member since 2017 路 319 posts 路 330 votes
    6y

    Sounds like the landlord might be clueless, and is likely to get burned. If he doesn't know to mention pets in a lease (and maybe doesn't even have one), then I'm sure he didn't screen very well either. Maybe he'll turn up here when they stop paying rent 馃檪

    Otherwise, simply becoming a pain in the a** and complaining about any violations you see to him, the HOA, code enforcement, the cops and anybody else that comes to mind can have an effect (although it may also just cause them to hate you). This is something unhappy neighbors have done forever.. with mixed results.

    Alternatively, maybe just a fence or some well placed shrubs would help? Bamboo is an awesome screen that grows fast - although you would want to be careful with it in AL (read up on how to control it first - it spreads underground, and really aggressively in that warm climate). 

    As @Christopher Brainard suggested above, simply buying the place might be an option too, especially if it's like I'm imagining (a crummy property in a nice location). You may be able to get it for relatively cheap, bring it up to the standards of the neighborhood, and then choose who lives there yourself. 

    1Reply
  • Colleen F.Pro Member
    Investor 路 Narragansett, RI 路 Member since 2013 路 8k+ posts 路 4k+ votes
    6y

    Of the things you mention you can complain about the animals constant barking as probably there is an ordinance or HOA rule. If there is any aggressive behavior by the animal or you expect they are abusing it animal control may be able to take action if you call them. Some HOAs and even some states have rules about unregistered vehicles which you could have them cited for. Hanging out in long white tshirts and drinking beer unless they are on the sidewalk usually won't be policed. You can call the police if behavior violates laws. The landlord is mostly going to respond to HOA violations or if these tenants violate the lease. Have you sent him a photo of the properties deterioration?

    Also have you spoken to them at all? Suggesting perhaps the dog needs attention or reminding them of a violation if there are quiet hours. Sometimes nicely asking is your best start. Fences may be a good addition if you can't work it out.  Think about adding a camera for security if you are worried.  

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  • Marcia Maynard
    Investor 路 Vancouver, WA 路 Member since 2013 路 3k+ posts 路 4k+ votes
    6y
    Try to buy it from the old and tired landlord. Make him an offer he can't refuse. :-)  Until he sees the situation as a problem, he won't be looking to get out from under it. But when he does, be his best friend and help him out by buying the place for a fair price.  There may be city ordinances that are being violated... put in an anonymous report. If the landlord is contacted by city code enforcement often, he may tire of the property. Good luck!
    2Reply
  • Matthew Paul
    Severna Park, MD 路 Member since 2013 路 7k+ posts 路 7k+ votes
    6y

    It doesnt sound like they are breaking any laws . There isnt much you can do . If they are part of the HOA you could complain . Like @Marcia Maynard said , see if you can buy it 

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  • Bjorn AhlbladPro Member
    Investor 路 Shelton, WA 路 Member since 2017 路 6k+ posts 路 6k+ votes
    6y

    I would try to buy it and if that did not work I would put it out of my mind completely. If cops and HOA don't work and you can't buy it. Forget about it, not a problem.

    0Reply
  • JD MartinBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Rock Star Extraordinaire 路 Northeast, TN 路 Member since 2015 路 10k+ posts 路 16k+ votes
    6y

    Your first visit is to your book of HOA covenants and rules. Learn it, know it, live it as Brad would say in FTARH :) . Beyond that, if no laws are being broken, you can either buy the property or screen it as best as possible.

    Frankly, doesn't sound like much of a gated community if there's no HOA covenants. I've never heard of the oldest, dumpiest property getting grandfathered into getting to ignore all the subdivision covenants because it was built early. What's the point of covenants if no one has to abide by them?

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    2Reply
  • Dennis M.
    Rental Property Investor 路 Erie, PA 路 Member since 2018 路 6k+ posts 路 9k+ votes
    6y

    If you can鈥檛 beat em join em ! I would just start wearing my pants without a belt , listening to rap music and take up drinking malt liquor out of 40ounce bottles on my front porch .

    3Reply
  • Lee Bell
    Real Estate Appraiser 路 Isabella lake, CA 路 Member since 2018 路 628 posts 路 491 votes
    6y

    @Dennis M.

    That might work for you, but some of us hate exposing that butt crack to spackle, don't like rap, or malt liquor. I say blast them with Metallica! Get some real beer. LOL.

    And complain to the HOA and whoever else, be a big pita.

    1Reply
  • Kevin Allen
    Louisville, KY 路 Member since 2015 路 166 posts 路 83 votes
    6y

    @Cody F. First would be to contact HOA if there is one. If the dog ever seems to be neglected call animal control. If you ever see any illegal activity call the police.

    0Reply
  • Kevin Allen
    Louisville, KY 路 Member since 2015 路 166 posts 路 83 votes
    6y

    @Cody F. Also, I had a similar situation at my old house. It was a decent neighborhood but the mom two doors up allowed her druggie son and all his friends to stay there. I rent that house and they are still there. They broke into a couple of the neighbors homes and garages. Always left me alone. First line of defense is an alarm. When they walked down the street I could always see them scoping out peoples backyards. I always made sure they saw me watching them. A couple times they tried to meet their dealer in front of the house in the dealers car. I always ran them off. They hang out at the local grocery begging and always bring grocery carts to the street. I was getting ready to meet some new tenants a couple months ago when the neighbor told me they had pushed one of their carts right up to the side of my house. It had a ton of papers and receipts that they dug out of the garbage. I flipped it upside down on their front porch. Mom came out yelling at me and I told her next time I would put it on the roof. Anyways so far they have stayed away but I know that technique could definitely backfire. Good luck to you. You expect it in a bad neighborhood. Sucks when it鈥檚 in your neighborhood.

    1Reply
  • Justin Fox
    Software Developer 路 Vidor, TX 路 Member since 2015 路 922 posts 路 639 votes
    6y

    Message the old man and buy the house.  Have it tore down and hauled off.  Now you have a bigger yard.
    Ask him what makes per month and if he has a mortgage.  Make him an offer that lets him walk out of closing with 10 years of cashflow.

    0Reply
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