What to do if find drugs in rental? - Landlord Forum thread 328710

What to do if find drugs in rental? by LLMass (MA) on December 14, 2014 @14:10

We went into our tenants' apartment to do repairs - we had given them 24 hour notice. when in the apt, we saw what looks like drugs. If it is that, other than being illegal, tenants are not allowed to smoke (anything) in the unit per our verbal month-to-month lease.

What are our responsibilities as a landlord (eg., must we call the police? - obviously we don't want our address linked to illegal activity), and what's the best way to get the tenants out quickly?
thanks,

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Re: What to do if find drugs in rental? by Bill on December 14, 2014 @14:34	[ Reply ]

Flush the drugs and let the tenant try to figure out what happened to them. If they call you to complain tell the tenant that you can call the police to bring the dope dog over to help him look for it. You need to decide if these people are worth keeping. If you are not concerned about a vacancy, find out what your state requires in the way of notice and serve it to them by both certified and regular mail. It is 30 to 60 days notice in most state. You do not owe an explanation for the termination.

Re: What to do if find drugs in rental?

Re: What to do if find drugs in rental? by Bryan (Ia) on December 14, 2014 @15:12	[ Reply ]

Since they are M2M give them written notice IAW your state's laws of nonrenewal.

Re: What to do if find drugs in rental? by Garry (Iowa) on December 14, 2014 @17:44	[ Reply ]

I agree with both Bill and Bryan about giving them the minimum 30 day notice to be out by Jan 31. But do not touch anything,as bill suggested. First, you are not 100% sure they are drugs, and, legally, you can't touch any of the tenants property inside their apartment. You can take pictures, call the cops, and give them notice to move. But touching anything they own could be inviting a whole lot of retaliation against you-----something you don't want, especially when you are already telling them to move during the winter.

Re: What to do if find drugs in rental? by Anonymous on December 14, 2014 @21:30	[ Reply ]

What if they're regular roll-your-owns that they never intended smoking in the unit. Nosy person.

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Re: What to do if find drugs in rental? by Anonymous on December 15, 2014 @08:45	[ Reply ]

With a verbal lease agreement, you really have no way to prevent the tenants from smoking. Its HE said-SHE said. Your only route is to issue notice that the lease is not being renewed.

Re: What to do if find drugs in rental? by Anonymous on December 15, 2014 @13:12	[ Reply ]

Why wouldn't you tell them you saw the drugs, and illegal activity is not allowed on your property.

Re: What to do if find drugs in rental?