Neighbor to SFR insists on being involved in screening process

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Neighbor to SFR insists on being involved in screening process

Derek Luttrell
Chicago, IL · Member since 2017 · 231 posts · 124 votes

Hi there,

I closed on my sixth buy and hold rental recently, and had my first Open House for it this past weekend. Today, I received  multiple calls from the next door neighbor, and he is insisting on having a say in the tenant selection because he "wants to make sure he gets good neighbors." 

I don't actually owe this guy any of my time, right? He wants to know who came to the open house, when they plan to move in, and all kinds of things that are none of his business. Just wanted to see if anyone out there has ever come across something similar before.

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Mike CumbieBusiness Member
REALTOR® · Brockport, NY · Member since 2015 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
7y

@Derek Luttrell

LOL, Yup you have it right, he has less than zero say. Letting a neighbor decide who is moving in just opens you up to Fair Housing violations. 

Of course you can have fun with it. Act all excited. "You know that's a great idea. Also when you do any outside improvements make sure you contact me so that I can approve the colors and patterns. We are so going to make this neighborhood look great"

If you are trying to avoid any conflict you can always tell him "I appreciate what you are saying but I have to maintain the privacy of the applicants"

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  • Mike CumbieBusiness Member
    REALTOR® · Brockport, NY · Member since 2015 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    7y

    @Derek Luttrell

    LOL, Yup you have it right, he has less than zero say. Letting a neighbor decide who is moving in just opens you up to Fair Housing violations. 

    Of course you can have fun with it. Act all excited. "You know that's a great idea. Also when you do any outside improvements make sure you contact me so that I can approve the colors and patterns. We are so going to make this neighborhood look great"

    If you are trying to avoid any conflict you can always tell him "I appreciate what you are saying but I have to maintain the privacy of the applicants"

    4Reply
  • Robert Biggerstaff
    Contractor · Pensacola, FL · Member since 2018 · 303 posts · 240 votes
    7y

    I would just approach and say  man that’s awesome and everything ! let me go ahead and I’ll get your application so you can rent it and then I’ll help you when you go to sublet it to whoever you get to move in

    1Reply
  • Derek Luttrell
    OP
    Chicago, IL · Member since 2017 · 231 posts · 124 votes
    7y

    @Mike Cumbie tell me about it. I don't anticipate my new tenants ever doing anything worthy of an external complaint, but now that this neighbor has my number I am curious to see what he decides to complain about down the line. 

    I never thought I'd have to factor in the potential of a NEIGHBOR being the problem instead of a tenant, but I guess that's the beauty of landlording.  

    1Reply
  • Andrew SyriosPro Member
    Moderator
    Residential Real Estate Investor · Kansas City, MO · Member since 2014 · 10k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    7y

    I would just politely tell him that you screen very diligently and tell him what your criteria are and that you have just as much interest in getting a good tenant as he does in getting a good neighbor. But after that, no, you don't owe him any of your time.

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  • Derek Luttrell
    OP
    Chicago, IL · Member since 2017 · 231 posts · 124 votes
    7y

    @Andrew Syrios that about sums it up. I'll just have to show him that I'll find him the best neighbor he's ever had. Thanks for the input. 

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  • Michael Noto
    Real Estate Agent · Southington, CT · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    7y

    @Derek Luttrell Keep it civil and let him know that you are going to do your best to screen the candidates to make sure he gets the best possible neighbors. The bigger issue for you is going to be when he is calling you randomly to complain about your tenants. That should be fun.

    All kidding aside the guy probably had a bad experience and is just sizing you up to make sure you are legit. Once he knows that he will hopefully let up.

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  • Andrew SyriosPro Member
    Moderator
    Residential Real Estate Investor · Kansas City, MO · Member since 2014 · 10k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Derek Luttrell:

    @Andrew Syrios that about sums it up. I'll just have to show him that I'll find him the best neighbor he's ever had. Thanks for the input. 

    The best line I heard with dealing with tenants is "fair but firm" and I think it's the same here. Be polite and respectful, but don't let him think that he gets to have a say on how you run your business.

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  • Thomas S.
    Member since 2016 · 13k+ posts · 12k+ votes
    7y

    Good neighbours are valuable to have, neighbours like yours with dry scenes of humour are priceless.

    I would be tempted to have some biker friends show up at the eproperty for a saterday afternoon and see if he calls.

    1Reply
  • Matthew Paul
    Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    7y

    Tell him you rented to an outfit that runs sober living homes . 

    0Reply
  • Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
    Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Thomas S.:

    Good neighbours are valuable to have, neighbours like yours with dry scenes of humour are priceless.

    I would be tempted to have some biker friends show up at the eproperty for a saterday afternoon and see if he calls.

    we run into this when we are building in fill.  one property that i closed today is in the historic district of Charleston so everything is basically 1.5 to 10 million.. and the neighbors are in your grill constantly. and at one of the arch meetings they said exactly that they wanted input into who we sold to.. you just grin and bear it and keep your head up..  lady next to this one had a stucco on her house and said our small walk behind vibrating compactor that you use for base rock for putting in pavers or brick walks.   she says it shook her house and cracked her stucco. LOL.. she wanted us to re stucco the whole side of her house.. we did not do that pushed back then she wanted 150 bucks or something and we gave her that to shut up.

    other one I did was on the opposite side of the country literally Oregon coast.. this was a subdivision that my bank took back so there was one house built there on two lots over looking the pacific.  I option the remaining 22 lots.. we get going building 3 homes to start these are 500k type.. and that neighbor was just the worse.. she turned us in to building called the cops .. etc etc.. I finally get on the phone with her and tell her if she just does not quit harassing our crews. that i would keep the home and find the worse renters i can to live next to her loud music dogs running whatever. And i said you think i am kidding. LOL.. that stopped that one..

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  • Derek Luttrell
    OP
    Chicago, IL · Member since 2017 · 231 posts · 124 votes
    7y

    @Jay Hinrichs we're obviously on different playing fields, as this is just your everyday $90,000 single family in NE Indiana that will rent for $1,200, but the moral of the story stays the same. I never imagined someone feeling so entitled that they find it their right to dictate who gets the privilege to live next to them, but you learn something new everyday. 

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  • Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
    Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Derek Luttrell:

    @Jay Hinrichs we're obviously on different playing fields, as this is just your everyday $90,000 single family in NE Indiana that will rent for $1,200, but the moral of the story stays the same. I never imagined someone feeling so entitled that they find it their right to dictate who gets the privilege to live next to them, but you learn something new everyday. 

    Google 7 new st. Charleston SC  and under the berkshirehathway listing you can see picks of the 2.2 mil one I closed today.. the house on the left was the stucco lady.. and the whole street showed up to the meetings and gently told us they would be very particular about who bought on their street..  but this was a cash buyer.. so I don't think they had a problem with this family that moved in..  

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  • Derek Luttrell
    OP
    Chicago, IL · Member since 2017 · 231 posts · 124 votes
    7y

    @Jay Hinrichs congrats on today's closing--that is a beautiful house. Bet you had a nice ride to the bank today :) 

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  • John Semanchuk
    Charleston, SC · Member since 2013 · 380 posts · 157 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Jay Hinrichs:
    Originally posted by @Derek Luttrell:

    @Jay Hinrichs we're obviously on different playing fields, as this is just your everyday $90,000 single family in NE Indiana that will rent for $1,200, but the moral of the story stays the same. I never imagined someone feeling so entitled that they find it their right to dictate who gets the privilege to live next to them, but you learn something new everyday. 

    Google 7 new st. Charleston SC  and under the berkshirehathway listing you can see picks of the 2.2 mil one I closed today.. the house on the left was the stucco lady.. and the whole street showed up to the meetings and gently told us they would be very particular about who bought on their street..  but this was a cash buyer.. so I don't think they had a problem with this family that moved in..  

    Very nice Jay, but I don't understand the reference to the "berkshirehathway listing".   I had to look wondering if you changed Realtors!

    0Reply
  • Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
    Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @John Semanchuk:
    Originally posted by @Jay Hinrichs:
    Originally posted by @Derek Luttrell:

    @Jay Hinrichs we're obviously on different playing fields, as this is just your everyday $90,000 single family in NE Indiana that will rent for $1,200, but the moral of the story stays the same. I never imagined someone feeling so entitled that they find it their right to dictate who gets the privilege to live next to them, but you learn something new everyday. 

    Google 7 new st. Charleston SC  and under the berkshirehathway listing you can see picks of the 2.2 mil one I closed today.. the house on the left was the stucco lady.. and the whole street showed up to the meetings and gently told us they would be very particular about who bought on their street..  but this was a cash buyer.. so I don't think they had a problem with this family that moved in..  

    Very nice Jay, but I don't understand the reference to the "berkshirehathway listing".   I had to look wondering if you changed Realtors!

     its just what came up on google.. nope my team is intact. 

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  • John Semanchuk
    Charleston, SC · Member since 2013 · 380 posts · 157 votes
    7y

    Ah, I get it.  That just shows the power of Berkshirehathway's SEO efforts.  :-D

    0Reply
  • Matt A.
    Investor · St Augustine, FL · Member since 2016 · 136 posts · 126 votes
    7y

    Flip it to him! Seriously, If he wants to have a say, he needs to buy the place. Im not big on operational partners and am not advocating taking one on... but if the price is right there is always money to be made selling the place.....

    0Reply
  • Chuck H.
    Rental Property Investor · Houston, TX · Member since 2017 · 40 posts · 20 votes
    7y

    I'd remain cordial and not be rude. I always like the neighbors to have my number so they can keep an eye on the property in case of an emergency or the tenants creating problems. Whenever you have selected a tenant, tell the neighbor about them.

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