Buying a property with a sex offender tenant

Buying a property with a sex offender tenant

Investor · Oakland, CA · Member since 2016 · 25 posts · 4 votes

Hi–

I'm in contract on 4plex in northern California. After checking the Megan's Law website, I found that one of the tenants is a registered sex offender. Their offense was in 1994 and they have been in the property, apparently without issue, for 10 years. I brought this information to the seller and they had no idea. Doing my inspection, the tenant would not allow access to his unit claiming he had no knowledge that inspections were happening. The seller's agent clearly said that all tenants were given notice. All 3 other tenants knew we were coming. I'm now rescheduling a viewing of this unit. Seller had only owned the property for <2 years. Also, important to note that the newest tenant, who is great, has a 7 year old child. 

Now, I'm a believer in second chances and that everyone needs a safe place to live. I also don't want to have this knowledge hanging over me. I'm curious to know how people would proceed. Ideally I would like the tenant with the child to at least know what's going on. Considering I don't currently own the property, I would also like this information to be disclosed before I take ownership. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

0Reply
28 views

Most Popular Reply

Michele FischerPro Member
Rental Property Investor · Seattle, WA · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9y

Agree that this information is readily available to those who want to take the energy to research it. I wonder how much longer before this tenant becomes unregistered.

In my volunteer work I came across a registered sex offender.  I made sure that other volunteers knew and we made sure we weren't alone with him, but we didn't blab to the neighbors and he was one of the best people we worked with.

We've struggled with whether to rent to registered offenders and if so how much to disclose to prospective future neighbors.  Of course this population has a horrible time finding housing and they deal with the consequences for a long time.  I'd suggest evaluating his future tenancy on his objective behaviors.

See this reply in the discussion

6 Replies

Jump to latestLatest
  • Investor · Monroe, WI · Member since 2015 · 691 posts · 610 votes
    9y

    @Ari Archer If the sex offender tenant is on month to month lease, I would make the seller deliver that unit vacant, this guy will be a pain in your backside just the way he's claiming he didn't know you were going to inspect his unit. He might be hiding something and I wouldn't take the chance having him reside in the same building as a child.

  • Buy & Hold Owner · Redlands, CA · Member since 2015 · 5k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Ari Archer:

    Hi–

     I would like the tenant with the child to at least know what's going on. Considering I don't currently own the property, I would also like this information to be disclosed before I take ownership.

     Understand your concern.  First, neither the sell or then tenant is obligated to disclose, so don't ask.  YOU are not empowered to disclose it either, but came upon it as Megans's Law intended - - by personally searching.

    The other tenants can acquire this info just as you did and, they may or may not react which will impact you.

    Use the tenant's history to evaluate the risk but if the deal was ok before your discovery, it still is.

    When I sign a new tenant, I tell (not show any map) of the nearest offender when showing the lease disclosure.

    (btw;  Leases in Calif must disclose the Megan's Law website)

  • Michele FischerPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Seattle, WA · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9y

    Agree that this information is readily available to those who want to take the energy to research it. I wonder how much longer before this tenant becomes unregistered.

    In my volunteer work I came across a registered sex offender.  I made sure that other volunteers knew and we made sure we weren't alone with him, but we didn't blab to the neighbors and he was one of the best people we worked with.

    We've struggled with whether to rent to registered offenders and if so how much to disclose to prospective future neighbors.  Of course this population has a horrible time finding housing and they deal with the consequences for a long time.  I'd suggest evaluating his future tenancy on his objective behaviors.

  • Rental Property Investor · Yardley, PA · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 561 votes
    9y

    Do you know what the actual offense was? Could make a difference.

  • Investor · Oakland, CA · Member since 2016 · 25 posts · 4 votes
    9y

    @Scott Weaner and i quote: "oral copulation with a minor age 14 or younger"

  • Investor · Bethel, AK · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 852 votes
    9y
    Ari Archer Based on this guys unwillingness to allow you to see the apartment I would guess him to be trouble. Not because he has a rough past or I think he was hiding something but because he didn't want to follow the rules. Assuming the seller/agent went through the proper notification process and he refused access that tells me he thinks he doesn't have to comply to your rights as stated in the lease. Even M2M laws refer to the original lease. I think this guy might be trouble and I would proceed with caution. If he's not M2M get him on there as soon as possible. You can get him out ASAP with the proper notice. RR
Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.