Problems with a renter that lives in the building next to mine

[Brenda Reems]

I own a 4 plex with a large parking area. The parking area is next to a duplex that I do not own. Technically the entrance into the parking lot is owned by me. The tenant next door has been giving my tenants some problems. First off she is a hoarder. She has clothes on a clothes rack sitting next to the house and whole bunch of junk along with a car in the back yard. It is very unsightly for anyone in the area. She also parks her car basically in the front yard and uses my entrance to get in and out. Besides the junk in the yard, the use of the entrance is not the issue. Her next door neighbor (not my tenant) has been parking next to her car and has supposedly been blocking her in. So, now both tenants in the duplex are using my entrance. Technically there is only off street parking for this duplex.

I just received a phone call from my tenant. She said this lady has been giving her problems. The other lady is fired up and wants me to deal with this other tenant since she isn't getting any help from her landlord. I have been wanting to reach out to this landlord anyways to discuss the garbage outside the unit. I have thought about charging her for some of the snow removal and maintenance to the parking area but I didn't know if I should go that far. I also wanted to possibly see if the owner would be interested in selling the property to me so I could manage this unsightly duplex.

I hope this makes sense. How would you manage tenants that aren't yours but causing problems for your tenants and the value of your property? The other property owner owns 10’ away from the building. It is only a small sliver of the actual entrance. 

[Richard F.]

Basically, you don't manage the neighbor Tenants. Detail your concerns and issues, concisely, and send a business letter (Certified, Return Receipt Requested for documentation purposes) to the Owner of the property requesting he take steps.

In the meantime, if you are crystal clear on your lot line, get a written estimate for installing a privacy fence. Depending on how the other Owner responds to your initial letter, approach them with your proposal to share in the cost AND maintenance of the fence, and negotiate something that works for both of you. If they are unwilling, confirm your lot line with a survey, and install the fence anyway.

At a minimum you should be able to install a few bollards or decorative boulders to make it impossible to drive into their yard. You can likely also file a complaint with code enforcement regarding the storage of excess flammable materials in the open, and possibly parking on the grass as well, depending on locale. You could also have police issue a trespass citation for using your driveway (assuming there is no easement) if the tire tracks are clear and/or you take videos on several different days.

Advise YOUR Tenant to call the police if the person is directly harassing her. She should document dates and times of any outbursts. 

Neither you or your Tenant should interact with the neighbor Tenant. Last possibility is to file a claim in Small Claims Court or get a TRO issued.