Investor · Alexandria, VA · Member since 2016 · 859 posts · 460 votes
Hi BP,
I thought this would be a great thread to get started to share how landlords are handling these situations .
My apartment complex had a shooting this evening and now the police department is handling the guilty patrons. My job as a landlord is to keep my tenants safe and keep them LIVING AT THE APARTMENT. I have had 2 tenants reach out, extremely worried and one "wanting to move out with all deposit returned."
Real Estate Agent · Lancaster, PA · Member since 2018 · 63 posts · 59 votes
6y
This is tough, If this was my property. I would hear out the tenant and just talk with them. I would try and comfort them by letting them know you will look into this and find out what happened that this happened. Then the information you find out, just disclose that information to them. And do some simple and cheap security upgrades if you feel like that would add value to your property, plus keep them there if they are good tenants. Automatic locking doors, or a Ring Door Bell for security footage. Simple things that help the tenant feel safe. Ultimately they signed a lease and will have to follow the lease if they want to leave that is up to you and what lease they signed. But if you can make them feel safe cheaply that might be the best option.
Real Estate Agent · Lancaster, PA · Member since 2018 · 63 posts · 59 votes
6y
This is tough, If this was my property. I would hear out the tenant and just talk with them. I would try and comfort them by letting them know you will look into this and find out what happened that this happened. Then the information you find out, just disclose that information to them. And do some simple and cheap security upgrades if you feel like that would add value to your property, plus keep them there if they are good tenants. Automatic locking doors, or a Ring Door Bell for security footage. Simple things that help the tenant feel safe. Ultimately they signed a lease and will have to follow the lease if they want to leave that is up to you and what lease they signed. But if you can make them feel safe cheaply that might be the best option.
Rental Property Investor · Nashua, NH · Member since 2020 · 17 posts · 15 votes
6y
Wow, what a nightmare. I can understand why people would reconsider in panic mode but I expect they will calm down in a few days. I think Sheldon had some good advice. Disclosure of information can be soothing. Listening to concerns goes a long way. Consider 1-2 increases to security. Perhaps some hard wired cloud cameras on the property. . They can be handy for tracking lawn mowing and snow removal and provide footage in a slip and fall. Could be a win win.
It's hard to recommend anything without information. Was it a problem tenant? Had there been previous complaints? Was it out of the blue? Is it a rough neighborhood? Are you a cruddy landlord? :) I'll never fight tenants if they want to break a lease due to safety concerns but I wouldn't take a financial hit either. I'd work with them to find someone else to rent the unit. If I didn't take a loss they won't either. I'd sacrifice the time on something like this. Tenant lives matter!
Good luck on this. Can't wait to see the responses.
Investor · Shelton, WA · Member since 2017 · 6k+ posts · 6k+ votes
6y
@Cassidy Burns How about some more information.........was it a tenant who shot or got shot? Did someone shoot at the building, outside, inside, what? My reaction as a LL would really depend on the details and so far we have not much to go on except a firearm was discharged by someone and an arrest was made.
Investor · Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 861 posts · 1k+ votes
6y
The big one is rather or not this was a random shooting. If this was out of a domestic or gang related issue, just knowing it was not random will likely help a lot. Eg -- this would have happened wherever these people were, it wasnt because of the buildings location..