Neighbor claims I'm destroying the neighborhood

Don KonipolBusiness Member
Investor · The Woodlands TX / Avon, CT · Member since 2009 · 6k+ posts · 10k+ votes
12y
No that, but I did have a neighbor about 20 years ago that threw a fit because I wore shorts to work.
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4 Reply
Patrick L.
Real Estate Investor · Saint Petersburg, FL · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 951 votes
12y
I've had concerns from neighbors about my rentals and I always try to assure them that I carefully screen all of my tenants because I'm just as concerned about the quality of person that's living there as they are. People are always going to worry about who is living next door to them and unfortunately for them they have no control over the matter, all you can do is reassure them that you're not going to rent to crack dealers, hookers, and child molestors.
1 Reply
Richard Vang
Real Estate Investor · Carmichael, CA · Member since 2013 · 111 posts · 16 votes
12y
Yup... been there. My neighbor called me, shouting and yelling. I just remain quiet and calm on the phone. Then, he complains that my rental has too many "residents". I have 2 adults, 3 kids. I am not sure what is wrong with my neighbor.

I told him that I just replaced the roof with brand new roof, not sure how that "bring" down the neighborhood. My tenants has good job, and "ceiling high" credit score... not sure what is the problem.
0 Reply
Michael Herr
OP
Peoria, IL · Member since 2011 · 365 posts · 182 votes
12y
I forgot to add that she is a super nice lady, just a bit old fashioned.

Millie: Would you do this if your family was next door?

Me: (quickly and frankly) Yep

(after which ich I had to hold back laughter knowing she was dead serious)
0 Reply
Richard C.
Bedford, NH · Member since 2012 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
12y
Does your neighborhood make renters wear a scarlett "R" or something? Renters do not inherently reduce property values; bad behavior does. If anything, the behavior of renters has more controls on it than the behavior of owner-occs.

The only place this complaint is ever legitimate is in a condo development, where a high percentage of renters can in fact impact the salability and therefore value of the other units.
0 Reply
Fran Flanagan
Investor · North Wales, PA · Member since 2013 · 116 posts · 44 votes
12y
I did the same thing as you, bought new house and used old for rental. I didn't have any neighbors as crazy as your lady here, but I made sure that the people in the 3 closest houses my cell phone number and asked them to let me know if there was any problem.

I told them that I wanted to make sure that the new people didn't trash my place, maintain neighborhood etc... I also wanted them to call me instead of calling the township to report a violation.

0 Reply
George P.
Property Manager · Livonia, MI · Member since 2011 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
12y
i am constatntly asked to "get good people in there". i promise them that i will and that's where it ends.
0 Reply
Jon Holdman
Rental Property Investor · Mercer Island, WA · Member since 2008 · 22k+ posts · 14k+ votes
12y
Since she wants to control how your house is used, ask her if she's interested in buying it.
8 Reply
Susan Gillespie
Investor · Saint Paul, MN · Member since 2012 · 128 posts · 56 votes
12y
@Michael Herr yes I understand Millie's perspective. We got a renter two houses down and I didn't like it one bit. But it worked out ok.

I would consider it an advantage that Millie will keep an eye on your house. Make sure she has your mobile number and check in with her occasionally.

We recently had a renter who created some problems and I wish someone had told me early on.
0 Reply
J ScottPro Member
Moderator
Investor · Sarasota, FL · Member since 2008 · 18k+ posts · 17k+ votes
12y
Originally posted by @Jon Holdman:
Since she wants to control how your house is used, ask her if she's interested in buying it.

I was thinking just the opposite...he should tell her that she needs to sell her house ASAP to avoid the carnage. Oh, and would she like to sell it to him?
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1 Reply
Dawn AnastasiPro Member
Rental Property Investor · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2013 · 6k+ posts · 4k+ votes
12y
I had one of these. The neighbor absolutely hates that there is a "renter" in the house in their neighborhood versus homeowners because the neighborhood is "all long term homeowners".
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Jon Klaus
Developer · Garland, TX · Member since 2008 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
12y
"Choose your neighbor!" Get tenant referrals from Millie.
3 Reply
Rolanda Eldridge
Investor/Realtor · Hoover, AL · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 459 votes
12y
@Michael Herr ...lol...I get this often, but I assure them, I screen carefully. It's a great time to meet the neighbor!!! I give them my business card/get their name and phone# and ask them to keep a watch on the property..One neighbor called me late one cold winter night to say she heard/saw water coming from vacant property...Yep, frozen pipes burst! She saved me $$$ and I didn't need to file an insurance claim...I bought her lunch and send her cards/flowers on occasions...she's in her 80's(wise woman). I enjoy talking to her....Don't underestimate a good/nosey neighbor!
1 Reply
Colleen F.Pro Member
Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
12y
I rent to college students after the long time owner left the house to his son who sold the place. Those of us who rent in the area do get calls from the long time residents now retirees who can afford a year round place at the beach. I take the calls talk to them sometimes they have valid points but if that is all they want to talk about it is a sign to me that they don't have a valid complaint. It is like the boy who cried wolf, if every tenant is bad I am going to stop listening to you. Now if you have specific measurable complaints I can hear you. The biggest issue we get is noise. I have one set of neighbors who I rely on for a reality check. If they complain I take notice, some others I just let it fly over my head.
0 Reply
J.N. Miller
Real Estate Professional · seattle, WA · Member since 2008 · 43 posts · 1 vote
12y
I get this from one of our neighbors- a rental if it is run down and has loud trashy tenants and cars on blocks would diminish value and rightly cause neighbors anger-- all our rentals are in well established developments-- I give my card to both side neighbors and ask them to please call us if there is excess noise, traffic, residents,etc-- it creates much good will & I also tell the new renter that we have done this with the neighbors-- it puts renters on notice that you will find out about unmoved lawns, animals, etc. as long as your home looks like a home and not a shabby obvious rental, your neighbors will calm down. Neighbors always worry about rentals diminishing value-- but if a neighbor doesn't keep up their house that can diminish the area too-- just make sure your houses are maintained on their exterior and it will generally shut the neighbors up
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