Domestic Disturbance--when to cal the POPO?

Domestic Disturbance--when to cal the POPO?

Real Estate Broker · Northeast PA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes

For all landlords and property managers:  This is an email we received from a tenant in a duplex we manage:

"Fighting and screaming in upstairs apartment. This has gone on since we moved in and we have tried to ignore it but this is beyond ignoring anymore. Screaming and swearing at each other almost daily and again last night and this morning. We don't pay rent to have to listen to vulgar swearing and fighting all the time."

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How we responded,

Dear Xxxx,

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. This type of domestic disturbance is often a precursor to actual domestic violence. As such, it should be reported to the police, and if possible, reported during the actual disturbance.

We would ask you to keep a written log of the date and time of this type of occurrence for our records in the event of court action.

We will send all tenants a written reminder of noise restrictions as per the lease.

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How would you respond?

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Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
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Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
7y

1. Instruct the reporting tenant to call the police next time it happens and every time it happens.

2. Notify the offending neighbors that their fights are extremely disturbing to the other tenants. They need to quiet down or move out. If there is another formal complaint, I will evict them.

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  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    7y

    1. Instruct the reporting tenant to call the police next time it happens and every time it happens.

    2. Notify the offending neighbors that their fights are extremely disturbing to the other tenants. They need to quiet down or move out. If there is another formal complaint, I will evict them.

    The DIY Landlord Book4.7248 Reviews
  • Member since 2016 · 13k+ posts · 12k+ votes
    7y
    Instruct your tenant to call the police every time. They won't do it and will move out at end of lease so be prepared. Let them know you will be non renewing the other tenants lease. Concentrate on getting rid of the offending tenants. You could give warnings, probably won't help, but the best option is to non renew their lease.
  • Rental Property Investor · Monroe, WA · Member since 2018 · 177 posts · 98 votes
    7y

    Always encourage the reporting tenant to call the police (they can remain anonymous) 

  • Investor · Akron, OH · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    7y

    @Marc Winter Are both people involved in the fighting on the lease? I would instruct tenants to call the cops if they hear another fight and I would let the leaseholders know that other tenants have been instructed to call the police if they hear fighting. If it is a domestic abuse situation, I would encourage the abused tenant to get a protection order. If a tenant gets a protection order, I'd change out the locks and probably install a security camera.

  • Member since 2016 · 13k+ posts · 12k+ votes
    7y
    "I would encourage the abused tenant to get a protection order." It is never advisable for landlords to get involved in tenants personal life issues. You send notices to cure, you do not provide personal advice unless you want to put yourself in the middle of the problem. Businesses do not get involved in tenants personal lives.
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