Can I BAN my tenant's guests????

Question

I am a landlord of a rent-controlled building in Los Angeles. I have this one tenant who's granddaughters (who do not live there) always butt their noses in my business and want to argue with me about everything.

For example today I was fumigating the apartment building. I gave 48 hours notice with explicit directions on the fumigation (i.e. date, time, instructions on items, children, pets, etc.). This tenant of course did not comply, which I re-scheduled. But the whole time her granddaughter (early 20's) had to drive over and start with her chicken moving head and b*tching. Blah, blah, blah, blah and very very disrespectful to me and the fumigation guy. She does not live there.

She was telling us that we could not fumigate because there was a baby in the unit. I told her that I sent a letter stating that all children and pets were to be evacuated for 4 hours during and after spraying. I asked her if she read the letter, she said NO (of course not). Than she just continued to go on and on and on and on.............

This tenant's grand-daughters are always picking fights and arguing about every rennovation, etc. that I do. Another example: I asked the tenant if they had any rodents and than she started arguing with me about what a mouse was, etc.

I have about had it with this tenant's daughters and told one of them today that if she continues to disrespect me and my staff that I would have her banned from the building.

I spoke with another tenant and she stated that they argue with everyone and always picks fights with the other tenants.

Any comments please.

Answer 1

Yes you can 86 them from your property.  All you have to do is tell them that they are 86d off your property.  And if they step foot on your property you will call the police and have them trespassed.  And you wont have to deal with them anymore.  This can be totally verbal.  You don't need any fancy paperwork or anything like that.  And its all to your discretion.

Answer 2

Yes you can.  You have already warned her.  Next time ban her from your building with a witness present.  When she returns, call the police and tell them that you wish to press charges for a defiant trespass.  Check with your police department to make sure you are following the appropriate local codes.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

The granddaughters are not your tenants, therefore they have no right to speak to you about tenant issues. Tell them so. You have no obligation to speak to them about rental issues. Tell them so.

As a general rule, the landlord can't tell the tenant what guests (or family members) they can have in their apartment.

Answer 4

As a landlord, we all have to face this.  It never ends.  Either we are evicting someone or having their car towed or sending someone to pull the weeds in the yard.  When property prices were going up in 2004, i just smiled.  Now i am not smiling.  All the things you mention are part of our lives.

I always try to learn something from each "problem" tenant.  Did you have any warnings before you handed Grandma the keys?  Did you pay attention to the clues? /