Homicide under investigation next door

[Lara Pan]

My husband and I have recently purchased a rental single family property in a class B neighborhood in Los Angeles and few weeks ago there was a shooting involving the neighbor next door who shot and killed two people. He called the police himself and told the police that they were trying to force their way inside his house. Police is still investigating the case. 

We are in the process of renting this property and we want to know should we disclose this information to prospective tenants? If yes, how do we do so without scaring them away? The neighborhood overall is a very calm and safe neighborhood. Other neighbors are also shocked and surprised about this incident. We are really concerned that we won't be able to rent this property. 

Any advice is highly appreciated! 

[Nathan Gesner]

Maybe his story checks out and he's a great neighbor. But that still leaves you with a house in a community where two people attempted to break in. It sounds like a "mostly peaceful" neighborhood, kind of like the "mostly peaceful" riots that took place during the Summer of Love last year.

Personally, I would let people know. Can you image the liability (in California, of all places) if you didn't disclose it, the tenant were hurt, and then the tenant learns that you knew about the break-in next door? 

If you're home is located in an area where crime levels are increasing dramatically and the crime took place that recently, I would be honest. It may scare some away but for most people they'll understand it's probably not "normal" and they'll just take extra precautions to protect themselves.