As a landlord, what do you do when you find out a tenant is a registered s*x offender?

Question

We recently rented our old home to a couple with 4 children, for a two year lease. I found out yesterday that their son (age 15) is a registered s*x offender. He has had two convictions and one with a 4 year old! The house is in a neighborhood with tons of kids, and friends of mine. The family just moved here from out of state (i'm guessing I know why they moved now!). I don't want to put anyone in danger, but i don't know what I can do legally to make them move out??? Should I send a flier out to everyone in the neighborhood notifing them that a s*x offender is living there?

Answer 1

Man that's a difficult one.

How on earth did you get this information?  If he's been convicted twice what are the chances he's going to do it again?  I would try contacting the authorities in the State he's from and see if you can get information about the likelihood he'll offend again.  Sometimes that's not very reliable information but it's worth a try.  

I don't know what the eviction laws are in your State but he has not broken any laws- yet.  

If you believe this is a real concern  then look into seeing how you can evict the family legally by checking out the Tenancy Act for your individual State.  It should give you the various causes for eviction.  See if there is one you can use.

You may be stuck with this one since he has a legal right to live in the house like anyone else.  

I would be careful about the flier thing because the last thing you want is to be slapped with a law suit for defamation of character. As odd as that sounds everyone has their rights.  I'd go to your local police detachment and ask what they think about the flier idea.  

But I think if you just mention it to some of your friends in the neighborhood word will spread pretty fast.  As long as people are aware they can be vigilant and warn their children to be on their guard.  That may be enough.

Answer 2

You should consult with an attorney, but you are likely stuck with a s*x offender on your property for the duration of the lease.

Wow. I don't run criminal checks on minors, so that would have gotten by me and most other landlords as well.

The fact is, the family has a valid lease and you cannot evict them due to their son's s*x offender status. Had you known in advance, you could have rejected them, but you found out after the fact.

You need to be careful and hold off putting out a flier. This is not an adult we are talking about, but a minor. You do not know the details of the case.

Answer 3

You should either the police or the office of the state attorney general.

Verify from law enforcement what is proper. That way you do not do anything with good intent, but have adverse consequences.

I have reported s*x offenders to probation and parole, and had them relocated.  That is because they were too close to school, daycare, etc.

Answer 4

Go to the yellow pages under ATTORNEYS, and find several eviction attorneys to talk to FREE over the phone.

They'll point you the right direction.

Ask the attorneys if there is any way you can be found liable or are culpable if the kid does anything.  I personally have no knowledge of how to proceed.  But I'd start my inquiries with a REAL ESTATE eviction attorney.  He/she may refer me to ther counsel.

Now that I'm thinking about it, I may even call my State Bar Association for a referral and/or advice. Find them on yahoo search.  Just type in your state like this:  California State Bar Association.  The official site will pop up.  Good luck.

Oh yeah,   you probably should not let on to your tenant that you know anything.  Pretend everything is fine... until you get advised what to do.  Good luck.

Answer 5

You could not possibly find out someone's juvenile record. Plus a registered s*x offender has MANY restrictions on them. Something is fishy about this post.

Answer 6

s*x offenders have to live somewhere too. If you make them move out then the same thing could happen somewhere else. You might as well keep him where you can keep an eye on him. I would not go with the flier thing. If you really want them out I suppose first you could just talk to the parents, maybe there is more to it that you do not know about.

Answer 7

Well, for starters wherever a s*x offender lives they are to be registered and you should of checked such out before renting to them. You should call the police in making sure that they are being notified of such is in the area and cause the person is such, you can't just throw them out for that is discrimination along with breaking their rights to live in the area. As long as the person has not gotten into any trouble in the area and their rent is paid they have the right to stay on the lease that they have signed in being liable for. Your friends and the nieghbors shouldn't be told by you, for you have no right to slander and the internet shows offenders in the area of where people live. However, you can speak to an attorney, but not much you can do as far as making them give the lease up. You can try to talk to them and ask them. If you have deffently the proof of such is true, then I would contact the police, so if something did happen they would be informed. Good luck!

Answer 8

You said "Registered" s*x offender, registered in your state or the one they moved from? I would contact the registering agency, they can tell you what his restrictions are as far as proximity to other children etc. My mom once rented to a couple, I later found out he was a registered s*x offender. I contacted Parole &Probation his parole officer was more than happy to discuss the situation with me. PO had not been told of their move and would never have approved it as there were other children residing within 500 yds He suggested since the guy was 1week away from being off parole that we either evict on  Failure to Notify the L/L of his status,as that was one of his parole conditions or post a sign on the residence "A Convicted s*x Offender  resides here Warning",PO explained that it was legal to do so in our state to protect the neighborhood children  also to protect my mom from any liability which may arise. I decided to inform the tenants that we were aware of his status and my conversation with his PO. In our case that was all it took they were gone in less than 24 hrs. I would find out the agency responsible for keeping track of him is, talk to them, then do whatever  they suggest as far as protecting the neighborhood kids and yourself.  I've found that the agencies involved are more than happy to discuss the legalities with you as it helps them do their job which is by no means easy. Whatever you do, be sure its legal in your state or it could get really ugly since he is a minor!. P.S. In my state it is grounds for immed. eviction  for failure to disclose such info.  

Answer 9

I think you should mind your own business ...

This kid is only 15 and undoubtedly has serious mental health issues .

He and his family do not need all the neighbors throwing rocks threw their windows, assulting the family and harassing them ....

Just keep an eye on the family and the boy ..... IF there becomes a problem or looks like there will be one ; consult an attorney about making them move .

Answer 10

Find out what your state's laws about this are, and then make haste to follow them.

I don't know if you could evict them or not. Do some research.