Sex offender on one side of investment duplex

Member since 2023 · 2 posts · 0 votes

I had an offer accepted on a duplex. I found out through google that the tenant living on one side is a sex offender. The lease will not be up for another 7 months. Will this be an issue for me for finding tenants to rent to on the other side. The house is Indianapolis. Any advice you can give me?

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Greg M.

Rental Property Investor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 5k+ votes

There are sex offenders and there are sex offenders. Specifics matter.

These are all "sex offenders":

1) Tenant was convicted of rape of young children and distribution of child porn and was just released last month.

2) Tenant was 18 and caught having sex with his 17 year old girlfriend. This happened in 1984.

3) Tenant was walking home from a bar at 2:00 AM, they were drunk, they were caught in an alley way going the bathroom. This happened 25 years ago when they were in college.

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Bjorn AhlbladPro Member
Investor · Shelton, WA · Member since 2017 · 6k+ posts · 6k+ votes
3y
@Natalia Kietlinski Welcome to BP! I don't know Indiana law but I see risks. You may have difficulty renting to new tenants, and whether or not you can simply refuse to renew the lease on the existing tenant when it expires.
I would join a local REI or Land lord Association and consult with one of their attorneys you need to know more. Or you may choose to walk away. All the best!
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Greg M.
Rental Property Investor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 5k+ votes
3y
There are sex offenders and there are sex offenders. Specifics matter.
These are all "sex offenders":
1) Tenant was convicted of rape of young children and distribution of child porn and was just released last month.
2) Tenant was 18 and caught having sex with his 17 year old girlfriend. This happened in 1984.
3) Tenant was walking home from a bar at 2:00 AM, they were drunk, they were caught in an alley way going the bathroom. This happened 25 years ago when they were in college.
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Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
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Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
3y
Quote from @Natalia Kietlinski:

As Greg points out, there are different levels of risk. Consider what level of risk they pose and act accordingly. If you discover they are violent offenders, I recommend you terminate their lease and get them out.
REALTORS are taught that we should never disclose what we know about someone's personal record. You expose yourself to a liability if you misrepresent the situation or slander the other Tenant. Point your applicants to resources where they can do their own research and that will protect you from any liability if something happens.
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