Tenant Theft: Is this a civil or criminal?

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Rental Property Investor · Durham, NC · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
11y
Originally posted by @Donny Random:

I don't have proof besides that on the day that the tenant moved out the lock was broken and the lawnmower was gone.

 Speaking as someone who is not a lawyer and not a police officer, I don't think that counts as incontrovertible evidence that the tenant committed the crime.

I would repair the damage to the door and stop storing my lawnmower under the rental property.  

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  • Investor · Leominster, MA · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 589 votes
    11y

    Thats a criminal matter @Donny Random

     likely requiring proof beyond a reasonable doubt that the tenant committed the crime.

  • Real Estate Agent from Cleveland, OH · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2015 · 45 posts · 26 votes
    11y

    An intentional act of breaking and entering and stealing property.  Hmmm.... sounds criminal to me.  Unless they were using it to mow the lawn at the property, and then put the lawnmower back?  In which case it's just stupid to break the lock.

  • Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    11y

    Why would you have a gas powered tool in a crawlspace ? 

  • Real Estate Broker · Naples, FL · Member since 2013 · 9k+ posts · 6k+ votes
    11y

    Criminal!  Have they admitted it? Do you have proof? Got pictures or S/N of the lawnmower? The more documentation you have the better chance of arrest and recovery if the police find it. If the previous tenant simply has a mower that "looks" like yours, you may not have enough evidence to proceed.

  • Asheville, NC · Member since 2008 · 107 posts · 10 votes
    11y

    I just want to be able to file a police report and on the report indicate the tenant stole the lawnmower. I don't expect to recover the lawnmower, I want the tenant to have a record. I don't have proof besides that on the day that the tenant moved out the lock was broken and the lawnmower was gone.

  • Rental Property Investor · Durham, NC · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Donny Random:

    I don't have proof besides that on the day that the tenant moved out the lock was broken and the lawnmower was gone.

     Speaking as someone who is not a lawyer and not a police officer, I don't think that counts as incontrovertible evidence that the tenant committed the crime.

    I would repair the damage to the door and stop storing my lawnmower under the rental property.  

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