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halcal · Nov 10, 2009, 05:04 PM

Hi, I have a question about rental laws and whether I have a course of action in a situation. I live in a duplex on a block with five other duplexes all connected side by side. Each uplex is privately owned. About a month ago a new tenant moved into the duplex next door. The duplex is a two bedroom with a finished basement. The person that moved in has a daughter and an adult son ( who lives in the basement.) Since they have moved in the cops have been there at least 7 times, all because either he or his girlfriend ( who is not living there) are drunk and either fist fighting with each other or with the neighbors upstairs. I emailed the landlord for that building and let her know after the first incident. She basically said "call the cops" Tonight the renter and his girlfriend were fidst fighting on the front lawn over a bottle of alcohol. I got up to go in and call the police and the son starts screaming at me to " stop being high and mighty" and not to call the police. On halloween, the guy was drunk and told my thirteen year old that she looked " Hot!" in her cotume. Now my kids can not play out side without me, I can't leave my windows open in case they start fighting and cursing because I don't want my kids to see or hear it .Is there any way I can get these people out . The other neighbors are just as frustrated with the situation. I feel like we need to to stand p and take back our street. Any suggestions would be really helpful. Oh my State is Pa

ScottGem · Nov 10, 2009, 05:18 PM

You can try for a restraining order. You might try suing the landlord. Most leases have a clause to void the lease if there is illegal activity going on. So this could force her to try to evict.

halcal · Nov 10, 2009, 05:27 PM

Thanks for the info. I am planning on visiting the police station tomorrow to see what they have to say. I tried to inform the landlord previously and she diudn't seem concerned except to tell me to call the police. What cracks me up is that she is a realtor, and considering the tenants she rents to I seriously doubt she screens very well.

Fr_Chuck · Nov 10, 2009, 05:35 PM

Many landlords rent to anyone who will pay the rental.. And a lot will depend on the terms of your written lease.
You will need to try and see what the police tell you also. I know in matters of my last apartment, there was little we could do with drunks and drug dealers, except keep calling the police

twinkiedooter · Nov 10, 2009, 06:21 PM

Going in person and talking with the police is great for starters. See what exactly they can and cannot do for this. If the neighbors are outside publicly fighting and drinking possibly they will all be hauled off to jail to cool off and sober up and be charged with public intoxication and fighting.

Let the police know that yours WAS a quiet neighborhood and you would like their help getting it back to being nice and quiet.