Issue with a tenants kid

Issue with a tenants kid

Queens, NY · Member since 2016 · 58 posts · 7 votes

We currently own a two family home and have a family of four living upstairs. The youngest whose around twelve years old loves to run around and bounce a ball off the hardwood floors.

We understand what we got ourselves into when we decided to live under our tenants. They have hardwood floors upstairs. We can hear when they're walking, even louder when they have heels or dress shoes on, and the kids loud crying screams when he's getting disciplined, etc. We aren't going to tell them to no tippy toe around the house or how to raise their kid.

Where we draw the line is when the kid starts bouncing a ball or running in the house. When I was growing up we weren't allowed to do those things and if I did, I'd get disciplined.  We sent a text about it and shortly after it sounded like the kid made a really loud stomping noise. I don't know if that was his little way of retaliating. The mother hasn't responded to our text.

Where do you guys draw the line ?

0Reply
76 views

Most Popular Reply

Richmond, VA · Member since 2016 · 215 posts · 129 votes
6y

Add more soundproofing.

See this reply in the discussion

31 Replies

Jump to latestLatest
  • HIGHLAND, MD · Member since 2011 · 160 posts · 141 votes
    6y

    @Luis Rodriguez

    If you wanted to do blow in insulation in the floor above yours it would be the easiest and not require you to teal out the whole ceiling of drywall. They cut a few 4” round holes and blow it in tight with long hoses. You have some drywall patching and repaint work but problem will be a lot better. I have this type of insulation in my personal residence and it’s super quiet due to the density.

  • New to Real Estate · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2019 · 73 posts · 46 votes
    6y

    @Luis Rodriguez soundproofing is definitely possible with them in the unit. It's like any other maintenance that needs to be performed. You can schedule it with them or access from underneath. You just need insulation between the floor joists. Very doable.

  • Member since 2019 · 22 posts · 9 votes
    6y

    @Luis Rodriguez

    I went through this same problem. My upstairs tenant had kids, and would stomp/jump/run around on hardwood floors and bother my downstairs tenant. As soon as upstair’s lease ran out, I kicked her out because “I wanted to do some renovations,” DEFINITELY NOT because her kids were disturbing the peace. We as landlords can’t discriminate against a family, but we have other reasons why we aren’t renewing a lease, or there are better suitable tenants to rent to. This is why tenant screening is so important.

    Also, I am laying down laminate floors with the best soundproof underlayment underneath the laminate floors to help with the next tenant. Not only did the last tenant trash up the hardwood floors, I don’t feel like fixing it and I need an extra barrier against sound. Consider doing that.

  • Multifamily Syndicator · Houston, TX · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    6y

    @Luis Rodriguez Let's add this to the list of what you need to know before House Hacking lol

    Though not as bad as you described above, my wife and I had a similar when we house hacked our first property and we lived on the bottom floor. Let's just say that we were glad when we relocated to the top floor. 

    More importantly, what is happening here is that you are now in real-time understanding your temperament as an investor, so take that as intel on yourself for the nearest future. Perhaps, move up to that unit when their lease is up and then you become proper considerate of your bottom tenant OR even better you can buy another multifamily and move out if you have the capital in the nearest future. 

    The bottom line is there no line to draw sir, kids are kids. I have a 2-year girl and when she starts? Hmmm... She starts 😃  
     

  • Colleen F.Pro Member
    Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    6y

    @Ola Dantis  The OP  said " the youngest who is about 12 Years old loves to run around and bounce a ball off the hardwood floors"   I believe at that age there is a line to draw because if you don't well next time where does it go.?  

    In a up /down as kids I know my brothers sometimes got some silencing as a result of tenant complaints when they were out of line. And no one would have tolerated them essentially playing basketball in the house. 

    If it is walking too loud I have told tenants to work it out between them but I have had to tell tenants no powertool/workshops,  Super loud music, incessant barking, clogs/drunken shenanigans on the stairs  and kids running the hallway after quiet hours.  I do think the OP will find 12 year olds will have trouble bouncing their ball on carpet. My guess is the stomping post - text was a kid mad at being reprimanded. hopefully it resolves the issue.

  • Queens, NY · Member since 2016 · 58 posts · 7 votes
    6y

    I wish moving upstairs was an option, but our unit is basically double the size because of the basement, laundry, attached garage, and access to the yard.

    I'd consider adding carpet upstairs, but they have a lot furniture/clutter.

    I completely agree, Colleen. I understand kids will be kids, but as a parent you're going have to take control in certain situations. I'm pretty sure they came here after living in a single family house that they sold because of a divorce so he's probably use to doing whatever he wants, but thats no longer their situation and they have to realize that.

Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.