Renter Experiencing Theft in New Rental

[Courtney Fricke]

Hey y'all! Interested to hear your thoughts! 

Just bought a house on November 1st of this year. A few weeks back. Inherited a tenant who works two jobs and has very few belongings in the house. Two days before I bought the house, it was broken into. The police believes it was targeted and that it was not something common for the area. Tenant thought it was the neighbors next door who have since been evicted. Only two cell phones were stolen and there were noticeable forced entry on a side door that has since been further secured.  

Today he calls and lets me know that someone stole his TV. He is calling the police to file another police report. Waiting to determine if noticeable forced entry is evident. 

I also own the house next door. No theft is happening in regards to them. Introduced myself to the neighbor across the street. She said in the decades she has lived here the only thing she had stolen was a lawn mower once. Years ago.

The inherited lease states that the tenant is responsible for getting and maintaining renter's insurance. Also includes indemnification clause. 

Once I bought the property, I put up no trespassing signs and secured the back door that had previously been entered into. 

I do plan to talk with the police to find out if this is a trend in the area or if they suspect it is targeted again. 

Any thoughts from other landlords? Suggestions? At this point, I am willing to break the lease with the tenant without penalty if he feels unsafe in the property. An alarm system in this neighborhood (C class, C-) seems above and beyond. 

Appreciate any input!

[Jim K.]

Originally posted by @Courtney Fricke:

Any thoughts from other landlords? Suggestions? At this point, I am willing to break the lease with the tenant without penalty if he feels unsafe in the property. An alarm system in this neighborhood (C class, C-) seems above and beyond. 

You're thinking backwards. It's the C, C- houses in the ugly hoods that most need an alarm system. Call up SimpliSafe, get a basic system, pay fifteen bucks a month, expense it, add it to the rent next lease period. Otherwise you're going to be fixing busted locks and doors for the next six months. Somone's targeting this tenant.