Registered Offender Tenant

[Abby Braaten]

I'm currently under contract to close on a 4-plex on June 24 and found out that there's a registered sex offender living in one of the units on a month-to-month lease. I have to live in one of the units (mortgage reasons) plus his rent is the lowest so I'd rather live in that unit and renovate it. 

Being a 24 year old female, I don't quite feel comfortable going through the ending of lease process. Am I able to have the current landlord end his lease during the closing process if she's willing?

[Nathan Gesner]

Felons and sex offenders are just interested in rebuilding their lives? Seriously? About 8% of all Americans become felons. About 44% of all felons commit new felonies after serving their time which means you've increase the risk of criminal activity on your property by 36%. 

If the renter is on a lease, the Landlord is supposed to allow them to finish that lease. If they are on month-to-month or no written lease, you should absolutely attempt to purchase the property with that renter removed. You can make it a stipulation of your purchase agreement. I recommend you ask them to have it vacant a week or two prior to closing so you can confirm by inspection. This also gives you a little leeway if the tenant doesn't leave on schedule.

Yes, sex offenders are sometimes on the registry for stupid law violations like peeing on school grounds at 2am. From what I've read, about 90% of them are for sexual assault, sex trafficking, or involve child pornography. Not the people you want living in a multi-family situation.