Illegal House Hacking

Buying & Selling Real Estate
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Illegal House Hacking

Barbara McArthur
Jamestown, NY · Member since 2016 · 23 posts · 5 votes

I am house hacking in a medium sized town in the Northeast.  My house was rented for about 15 years and was pretty close to wrecked.  I have fixed it up and will be ready to rent or sell it this year.  I talked to a Realtor to get an idea of what my house is worth.  She told me that the rental house next door is in such bad shape that it's hurting the value of my house.  The house next door would legally be considered uninhabitable because it has no heat.  The young man that is renting there is heating his room with a space heater.  This is fire waiting to happen.  If it burned it would probably damage my house since they're close together.  Normally I don't care what other people do with their rental properties, but I think this landlord is a dirtbag taking advantage of people AND the house is hurting my property value AND is a fire hazard to my house.  I'm considering reporting the situation to the local housing authority.  Is it really none of my business or is this a situation that should be reported?  

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David Dachtera
Rental Property Investor · Rockford, IL · Member since 2014 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
9y

@Barbara McArthur,

Have you located the owner of that property and explained what you posted here?

Ask if they'll sell so you can gain control of it, fix it up and eliminate the threat/issue.

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  • Jeremy Pakalka
    Houston, TX · Member since 2016 · 349 posts · 142 votes
    9y

    @Barbara McArthur That is a tough situation. One the one hand, you are worried about your investment and want to protect it. I might try talking with the landlord next door to try and resolve it peacefully. The other impact is on the person living there. I don't know anything about him but if they are living in those conditions, it might be the only option they have. By reporting it, the landlord might be forced to fix it or kick them out.

    I would make sure your insurance is up to date and covers fire damage regardless of the route you choose.

    1Reply
  • Russell BrazilBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Agent · Washington, D.C. · Member since 2012 · 17k+ posts · 30k+ votes
    9y

    This is your business as it literally pits your life at risk

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    1Reply
  • David Dachtera
    Rental Property Investor · Rockford, IL · Member since 2014 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y

    @Barbara McArthur,

    Have you located the owner of that property and explained what you posted here?

    Ask if they'll sell so you can gain control of it, fix it up and eliminate the threat/issue.

    2Reply
  • Barbara McArthur
    OP
    Jamestown, NY · Member since 2016 · 23 posts · 5 votes
    9y

    I spoke to the landlord last year because the house was empty and I was considering buying it.  He wanted about twice what the house was worth.  Since the house was empty and there was no "for rent" sign on it I decided to wait.  I think the guy's game is that he gets tenants who are poor and ignorant and want to fix up the house for a lower rent.  When they get behind on rent because they're spending their money on drywall he evicts them.  Thanks to DeeperPockets.com I now know more about the rental business and am more confident in my ability to turn the house around and protect my investment in my house.  When the young guy renting the house had a minor difference with his girlfriend he threatened to slit her throat.  He was probably just running his mouth, but I'm concerned that if I speak to the landlord or report the situation to the authorities there might be trouble.  I haven't seen any evidence that he is really working on the house.  

    0Reply
  • David Dachtera
    Rental Property Investor · Rockford, IL · Member since 2014 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y

    @Barbara McArthur,

    Have you spoken to the owner lately?

    Tell him his property threatens yours and you need him to either take action or sell it (to you?).

    0Reply
  • Barbara McArthur
    OP
    Jamestown, NY · Member since 2016 · 23 posts · 5 votes
    9y

    I haven't spoken to him lately.  When I looked up the owner again the other day I noticed that he was the same guy who bought, fixed up, and rented the house across the street from me last summer.  So, he has the means to buy and fix up properties but not the inclination to bring the properties he already owns up to a decent standard.  I don't have the knowledge or connections to take him on.  It may be underhanded and sneaky, but I am truly concerned about fire, so I decided to report the situation to the appropriate authorities.  

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2016 · 374 posts · 189 votes
    9y

    Here is what I would do.

    1) Ask to purchase the home owner finance from the owner as is.  

    2) If he says no, report the home to code enforcement and get it condemned.

    3) Once condemened, go back to #1.

    0Reply
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