Re: Stealing - Landlord Forum thread

Re: Stealing by MrDan (Georgia) on March 4, 2012 @15:07

Landlords have a responsibility to provide a safe, crime-free
environment for their tenants if it is within their means to do so. More and more, the courts are upholding this responsibility on behalf of tenants when landlords have failed to take all reasonable precautions in providing a safe, crime-free environment for their tenants. If your tenants are withholding rent, then this has gone on too long without the landlord doing something. You need to correct this before you start losing tenants and wind up with many vacancy's.

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Re: Stealing by NY-LL on March 4, 2012 @18:12	[ Reply ]

The landlord is responsible for providing a safe and habitable environment. Secure locks and adequate lighting are standard. Surveillance systems are not standard. This by no means implies that the landlord is responsible for installing additional security other than secure locks and adequate lighting, and possible intercom system in larger dwellings.

Re: Stealing by Betty L. on March 4, 2012 @19:45	[ Reply ]

I would think that the landlord would be concerned about the things being stolen as this could lead to tenants moving out and word getting around that the place is unsafe. So yes the landlord should invest in security measures of some sort. If it means security camera's, then yes install them. A landlord who does nothing is foolish. The tenants are withholding rent now because of the stealing going on, next they will be moving out. It's cheaper now to do something, than much latter. The tenants confidence in the landlord is low now, do you think it would not get worse if it keeps happening?

Re: Stealing by P-Bone in WNY (NY) on March 5, 2012 @15:53	[ Reply ]

My concern here lies in two places. If the tenants are leaving their laundry unattended, in a common area, that's like walking into the store and leaving your keys in the car. It is the tenant's responsibility to keep an eye on their property. Second, when it comes to mail, federal law makes that a crime, therefore, their best recourse would be to call USPS, UPS, or FEDEX and pursue the theft through them. If property is being left inside the multi-unit dwelling, then you likely have an issue with a bad tenant. If the mail is being left outside the dwelling doors, there is little you can do about it regardless of what you install because anyone can be stealing it.