UK Landlord Forum / Life

So we rented out our old house to a single mum who has 2 young daughters - 10 and 13 i think. The mum works hard, pays her rent on time in full (and has done for 18 months), and could quite easily give up work and claim benefits if she was so inclined.

However, her 13 year old is turning into a nightmare - causing all kinds of grief for her mum and engaging in plenty of anti-social behavior in the neighborhood. This includes throwing stones at neighbors windows, screaming down the street, arguing with her mum so the whole street can hear, police being called etc etc etc. The mum (my tenant) has been approached a few times by the neighbors but she has said she's tried, but failed to control the kid, and social services are involved but there is not much she as a mother she can do.

The neighbors have been in touch directly with me, explaining as such.

What is everyone's thoughts/opinions? Apart from evicting on a S21, i can't think what else apart from a phone call with the mother, that i can do? Is it unfair for the neighbors to ask me to sort it?

The wife and I used to live at the property so know the neighbors relatively well so i am sympathetic, but on the other hand the tenant is paying on time and in full and house is kept in reasonable condition.

Has anyone else had a similar situation?

As a Landlord you should not get involved in a neighbour dispute.

Knowing the neighbours well is just a problem you have to handle yourself. Plenty of Landlords would not. Plenty of neighbours would not know how to contact a Landlord. Consider your, unfortunate, situation unique (as far as it is) to you.

You are not a Social Worker. You are not a Carer. You are not their Owner. They are not your responsibility (as to how they live their lives). You are not the Police, or the Council. You are a Landlord. Understand your role, and play that role... allowing the scope of your role to creep, for no tangible benefit, is the road to ruin and dismay.

If a social worker is involved, make contact with them and explain that you're coming under pressure from neighbours to act, that the only action within your power is eviction, and that if teenage daughter's behaviour continues to deteriorate then there's a risk that she may end up putting the family's housing in jeopardy.  Make sure the social worker knows that teenage daughter is subject to a private landlord tenancy and is not in social housing. 

Local authority Housing Officers have powers and resources that you don't, and it may actually be in mum's best interests to move.  This is a conversation the social worker should have with mum.

During this contact make a note of which department the social worker is in.  Youth Offending Team is likely, some form of Learning Difficulties team is also possible, and some local authorities have separate departments for autistic spectrum disorders.  If her behaviour goes further, then it might matter which team.

You've probably already thought about this, but just in case you haven't, I should also advise you not to discuss any of this with your tenants' neighbours.  Your tenant should be able to rely on your discretion and respect for her privacy.  Whatever the neighbours say or allege, take a note of it, and then tell them you're not ignoring them but you can't share any information that's confidential to your tenant.

Do not engage in communication with the neighbours. Consider yourself an uninvolved third party. Do not give any neighbours the impression you are "doing something" - your phone will never be silent again. Tell the neighbours to follow the same channels they would if this person was the home owner (and they therefore had no-one to grass them up to!).

It is an embarrassing situation for you,but I have learnt from experience that getting involved is pointless.Stop taking calls.The neighbours could have just the same problems with a family who own their house.They are big boys and girls so let them deal with it.A tenant who pays the rent and keeps the house clean is not something to lose.just to please your ex neighbours.

Bit of a nightmare but if the tenant is paying money and property is in good order then crack on renting to her.  I had a tenant not get on with a neighbour once and the neighbour was on my case and I just said I am here to make money not mates.

Thanks all

I've decided to not get in touch with the tenant about it. As a young landlord (35) it would feel a bit lecturing to the tenant (mid 40's) on how to raise their child, and could quite easily get their back up.

It is certainly an unusual situation!

i've advised the neighbours to keep getting in touch with the police if it is anti social behavious, as they would if they know the landlord (ie me) or not.