"Peeping Tom" Tenant Making Female Tenant In Other Unit Nervous.

[William Coet]

Looking for ideas on how to handle this situation at a small multifamily property.  At this point I'm uncertain what, if anything, I can do legally.  The young female tenant is nervous because of odd behavior of a male tenant who lives in another unit at the same property (directly across the hall).  I do not think that the girl is not overreacting for being uncomfortable with the situation.  She lives with a boyfriend who is a football coach and who is more than capable of protecting her, but he is not always around.  It is when she is by herself that the uncomfortable situations happen.  On multiple occasions she has noticed him staring out his window at her when she is outside with their dogs. He once asked her if she could see him in his windows when she is out with the dogs.  He has said odd things to her like he is going to start suntanning in the nude in the backyard, and once told her that he knew her boyfriend was out of town for the weekend for a football game (and she doesn't think he is a fan of the football team). The guy has been dishonest with her and another set of tenants in attempts to pit them against one another for things he was responsible for.

I am seeking suggestions for how to handle this situation.

Thank you

[Mindy Jensen]

@William Coet, Everyone else who has responded is male. They may not be aware of how these things affect a woman, but it is CREEPY and you feel violated. He knows where she lives and apparently keeps track of her boyfriend's schedule. That's downright weird. I would be super creeped out, too.

She doesn't feel safe in her own home, and she has shared this with you. I'm not sure what your liability would be should something happen to her, but I also would not want to take that chance. I would offer to let her out of the lease with a full refund of security deposit if she leaves the home in good condition and allows you to show the unit to potential tenants. If she chooses to stay, you tried to help and that action should go far if the unthinkable happens.

This is not an evictable offense, unfortunately. It isn't against the law to be creepy. Maybe he is just awkward with girls, but if I were her, I would ask to break the lease. If I were you, I'd allow her to. 

I would also not renew his lease when it comes up. Who knows who is going to move into that apartment after Girl 1 leaves? He has shown you he is super weird. Get him out as soon as you can.