Homeless living in Vacant Rental

Homeless living in Vacant Rental

Member since 2017 · 12 posts · 1 vote

We recently had a tenant that just moved out.  The house has the water heater outside, and so we built a small room around it and put a door.  After the tenant moved out, we noticed beds and various other paraphernalia in there.  Basically there are transients that are living there and preventing this house from being rented.  

Steps I have done so far:

1) deadbolt that door

2) Lock on the outside gate

3) Setup a police patrol by


After the above three are complete are done, my hopes are that it reconciles the problem.  What I fear is retaliation and the house being vandalized. I do not live in the area, but close by.  Would love some ideas of other thing I can do to get these folks out.  They are doing drugs and defecating all over the damn place.  Was not sure if there is a way to have the city remove them or place them in a better place (homeless shelter etc)?  The home is in San Antonio, TX.

Thanks!  

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Bill ZimmermannPro Member
Sheboygan, WI · Member since 2012 · 10 posts · 11 votes
6y

I'll second Simpli Safe.  No internet needed.

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  • Joseph CacciapagliaBusiness Member
    Lender · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2020 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    6y

    If you don't already have cameras and/or an alarm, that may be a worthwhile investment. It won't stop people from entering, but at lease you'll know about it right away. There are many low cost options these days.

    Joseph Cacciapaglia powered by Morty
  • Member since 2017 · 12 posts · 1 vote
    6y

    Agreed. The issue is... no internet ☹️

  • Investor · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2019 · 576 posts · 307 votes
    6y

    If you don't have internet for cameras, the 3 steps you've done should be enough. Are you ready to put another tenant in? If you get the house cleaned up and get new renters in that would ultimately solve your problem for good. 

  • Member since 2017 · 12 posts · 1 vote
    6y

    So we have had folks looking at it. I fear they will come back and deter potential tenants. I agree that having tenants will alleviate... it’s getting the tenants in in the first place. 

    Wasn’t sure if there is anything I can do to get the city involved because I’d the dangers presented with drug use etc. 

  • Real Estate Broker · Northeast PA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    6y

    Motion sensor lights, trail cameras, Simpli Safe, junkyard dog.  Last resort, hire Bubba to sleep there and say 'hello' to the intruders.

  • Bill ZimmermannPro Member
    Sheboygan, WI · Member since 2012 · 10 posts · 11 votes
    6y

    I'll second Simpli Safe.  No internet needed.

  • Specialist · Plano, TX · Member since 2020 · 2k+ posts · 861 votes
    6y

    A basic camera security system should also be pretty helpful. The steps you have taken all sound great as well. 

  • Member since 2017 · 12 posts · 1 vote
    6y

    I will definitely try SimpliSafe and motion lights. 

    Why is it illegal for me to want to put a deadbolt on a house that I own? Furthermore, there is clear evidence of drug use. 

  • Wholesaler, Rehabber and Landlord · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2014 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    6y

    Hey @Account Closed, I dont know where you are from because you have not filled out your profile, but in Texas there is a little bit different mentality when it comes to someone trying to sleep in your house. They dont call it someone setting up residency in your home, they call it trespassing. Trespassing on someones property is frowned upon very strongly. There are even laws that involve deadly force when protecting your property. I am not advocating for or against this kind of behavior, merely pointing it out.

    Texas is a little more conservative with property rights of the owner.

    @Chirag Mehta what you have done should fix the problem. BUT you should talk with the neighbors. Everytime I purchase a property, I give the neighbors a business card and ask the neighbors to let me know if there is anyting going on in the property that I should know about. The neighbors feel they know you and you are also letting people know that you buy houses in case another one comes up for sale.

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