Ability to exclude a person from the premesis

[Michele Fischer]

Background:  We rent a 3 bedroom house to a grandmother.  She has her grandchildren live with her intermittently as needed.  Not uncommon in low income households.  Two of the teenagers are authorized on the rental agreement to each live there 180 days or less a year.

The teens have a reputation for being bad boys.  We knew this from the police and from them attending school with our kids when we got the application.  We told grandma when we accepted her that we were aware of the trouble they get into and would be monitoring the situation closely.

Grandma has lived there a bit over a year and there have been issues, none specifically tied to the teens.  a typical low income tenant - not bad enough to kick out, not good enough to feel good about.

Friday we received a neighbor complaint on the boys written up by the police.  We'll connect with the police next week to find out more, because it is written very vague, but it seems to be a nuisance complaint.  I'd like to revoke their permission to live at our property, with 30 days notice.  To be able to enforce it, I'd really like to disallow them from being on the premises at all.  

My husband thinks this is harsh and possibly problematic.  Thoughts?

[Bill Gulley]

Regardless of what you may require a tenant to agree to, they have rights of quiet enjoyment and use of the property, you can't chose their friends or family or dictate hours of visitation (except under certain circumstances as in a specialized housing complex). You can get to an understanding that if stuff continues the lease won't be renewed and if enforceable terms are violated you can terminate the lease. The policing is on Granny, not you. I also agree with your husband, pick your battles, her caring for grandkids from time to time isn't going to be a winner for you. You can't define what her family might be especially with minors. I'd just talk to granny and get an understanding.