Are landlords Mediators and peace keepers among tenants?

Question

Has any one had tenants call them to be a mediator and peace maker between them and another tenant living in a building?  And as a landlord are we obligated to mediate between tenants short of having to call the police?

Theresa Harris · Answer

Not your job.  In the lease you should state that they are entitled to quiet enjoyment and the city usually has noise bylaws that have quiet times.  If there is parking, you should also have that assigned with fines if there are problems.  Also if there is shared laundry, some general rules if problems arise (eg unit A can use the facilities one odd numbered days and unit B on even numbered days and it must be kept clean, lint trap cleaned, etc.

if you know for a fact that one tenant is being a problem, do not renew their lease.

Bjorn Ahlblad · Answer

@DeAngelo Tatum welcome to BP! I stay away from any refereeing among tenants. I do not take sides and do not respond. If I had to non renew both I would.  But I stay out of it and that has not been a problem.

Karl B. · Answer

If a tenant is making excess noise I'll typically tell them there are complaints against them. It usually remedies the situation.

If two tenants don't get along (which is rare) it's typically because one is being loud and doesn't care. If I've witnessed it (typically loud music/TV) I don't renew their lease.

I have one intertied tenant now who doesn't get along with anyone. I don't like him, either. He's a jabroni. And he'll be getting a 30-day notice in the coming months.

But seriously, telling a tenant they're creating an issue stops the problem a lot of the time.

Colleen F. · Answer

@DeAngelo Tatum Yes they call and No don't do it.   If they argue over what is a common area violation I enforce my policy on what is allowed in common areas. If it is a noise complaint I will tell them to work it out but I also periodically send out a reminder on common walls and the fact that noise travels.  If it is a serious level don't call me call the police.  Tell me about it of course but the police are going to come down to clear the party, not me.

DeAngelo Tatum · Answer

I used to rent out two bedrooms in my 3 bed house and the other two got into loud arguments and I ended up involved because well I lived there too and it was my house but now that I rent out a duplex and that was my only experience so I had done it before and wondered if that was a habit to stay away from lol

Are landlords Mediators and peace keepers among tenants?

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