Tenant Endangering Property and Roomates. NEED HELP

[Christian Ferreira]

Good Morning Everyone,

I need some advice badly. I have a serious situation on my hands right now. 

In one of my apartments, I rent it out as 3 separate bedrooms. All college students, which have only been there for about a month or so. Recently there was a noise complaint about one of the tenants playing the guitar in the early morning. I politely talked to the tenant and said he can play his guitar just not during certain hours. After this incident it went downhill, he started talking absolute non-sense. I am sure he has some sort of mental health issue, maybe schizophrenia or he is disillusional. I just got a phone call this morning from another roommate saying they are worried because the problem tenant believes someone is doing witch craft in the house, causing his brain to swell, and giving him headaches. The roommate said he was talking nonsense again about someone leaving the oven on, then she noticed when he was the only one home he went and turned two burners on and left the oven door open and on. She also said that he was being aggressive, rude, and somewhat threatening when she confronted him about it. She also hears him talking to himself about her and the other roommates, at this point she is becoming very worried and scared. 

The apartment is in Massachusetts, so evictions take a very long time. At this point I am stuck on what to do. I was thinking about going there with another person or two and telling him he needs to vacate immediately or I will have to notify the police? I also told the roommate to immediately call the police if she feels threatened or endangered by him. 

Any advice? I will also be contacting my attorney to see what advice he can provide. 

Thank you,

Christian 

[Colleen F.]

First they should call the police if they feel threatened. It is important that statements that indicate he is a danger to himself or others be brought up during a police call. These are the type of statements that can support an involuntary commitment.  He does sound like this could be a psychotic break.  If the police are called in an altercation they will arrest who they decide is the aggressor if there is a fight,  this isn't always the person you want them to take away....  The remaining person can file an order of protection making the aggressor unable to live there. 

I would rarely recommend that you contact parents but in this case it might make sense. If you have a co-signer or a parent name I would reach out.  It is kind of a delicate call to make but you might just say hey I am not sure this going on but I talked to him about morning guitar playing which could jepordize his tenancy but you may want  to check on him because of xyz.   It really depends if you met them etc.  At minimum it should get them to give him a call.  Hopefully he goes home for presidents Weekend and they realize what is going on.  This isn't your responsibility as a landlord but maybe it avoids a much more serious issue.