How to minimize antagonism from neighbors in a D neighborhood?

[Noureen A S.]

I have a rental in a “D” or very low income neighborhood. Most residents are on section 8.

As a neighborhood landlord, I feel the neighborhood has formed an antagonism against me (mainly because landlords may be viewed as “authority” figures or gatekeepers, so to speak). I feel the tension whenever I visit the property.

The neighbors I’m referring to are mainly the young men that live in the neighborhood. Most don’t work or go to school and the previous tenants I had told me there was drug activity.

One of the neighborhood kids has been parking their car in the driveway of my vacant rental. Rather than put up antagonizing signs, I want do something that will instead get the neighborhood kids to look out for or at least respect my property.

I don’t think talking to them directly is an option: I’m not old enough for them to view me as an elder (whom they would “respect”) and I’m also female...

The only person I have a decent relationship with is the young woman who lives adjacent to my property. Her son is actually friends with the other neighborhood kids.

Well, for those of you with low income rentals, what tactics have you employed to get neighbors to respect your property?