Hi.
I am new here and have a rather important question. The tenant next door to me is extremely bothersome with his loud music and late night arguments with women. I have called the police on several occasions but this last one he went into a tantrum yelling expletives and told me that "i watch your daughters!" The other neighbors with children and my wife and I are very worried about these comments from this tenant. Here is my question... Can the landlord be held responsible for the actions of this tenant? She already knows of his behavior. Also can we as a community pettion or serve the landlord with legal papers to remove this man from our community? Please help.
Sincerely,
Mark

I don't think the landlord can be held responsible. The question is whether this tenant has broken the lease. What you can do is talk to the police about a restraining order. You will need to document the threats made.

Sorry Scott, had to spread it around some more. But yes, Document, Document, Document.

As far as the restraining order, should be no problem if the neighbor as threatened about watching the daughters.

If the landlord is notified and it is documented that you notified, them.
( and notified the tenant and the police on all of the occasions, get police report after police report.

Most states have somewhat vague laws that have been used to hold landlords liable if they have been notified and have not acted.

Hello Mark:

I think the Padre may be on to something. If YOU, as their neighbor, are being disturbed by them, then they ARE breaking their lease. If the landlord does nothing after being informed of the problem, then I'll bet you absolutely CAN sue the landlord.

You're going to need an attorney in any case. Why don't you run this by one? Oh, and your "community"?? Unless it's an official community (like a homeowners association), you're going to be the guy who pays the legal bills.

However, your first line of defense should be your local cops. You said you called them. What?? They don't know how to solve it?? Maybe a call to their superiors might do the trick. I think your problem is bad cops - not bad neighbors.

Of course, you must consider that I don't like cops. Why?? Because they would rather bust a pot smoker than help you!!

excon

Hello again, Mark:

George Phillips of Meridian, Mississippi was going up to bed when his wife told him that he'd left the light on in the garden shed, which she could see from the bedroom window.

George opened the back door to go turn off the light, but saw that there were people in the shed stealing things. He phoned the police, who asked "Is someone in your house?" and he said "no". Then they said that all patrols were busy, and that he should simply lock his door and an officer would be along when available.

George said, "Okay," hung up, counted to 30, and phoned the police again. "Hello, I just called you a few seconds ago because there were people in my shed. Well, you don't have to worry about them now cause I've just shot them all." Then he hung up.

Within five minutes three police cars, an Armed Response unit, and an ambulance showed up at the Phillips residence and caught the burglars red-handed. One of the Policemen said to George: "I thought you said that you'd shot them!"

George replied, "I thought you said there was nobody available!"

excon

Thanks everyone for your info. As it turns out here in Illinois you can not get a restraining order or an order of protection against a nieghbor. They only give them to domestic issues concerning blood relation or ex dating partners. Oh well. We are obtaining a lawyer to pressure the landlord because my children's safety has no price. Thanks again.
Mark.
P.S. I like your last entry Excon!