My neighbor is a renter and uses drugs and parties all night. The owner is a jerk. What can I do?

Question

I live in a house in a very nice and quiet suburban neighborhood. I'm tired of the noise and late nights. I can't keep the windows open during the hot nights because of noise.

I called the owner and told him everything that is going on and he said he isn't doing anything about it since the rent is paid and the house is clean. I told him that he doesn't have to live next to it and he said "neither do I" and hang up on me.

He then told the tenant that I called and she came over and started swearing at my minor child when I wasn't home and called the sheriff. I wasn't home and the sheriff told her to get a restraining order against me (my other neighbor witnessed it) if I am harassing her.

They haven't had their garbage picked up since April and the crows fly all around. I feel bad for going above her and talking to the owner, but the type of guests that are there are very intimidating. She has lots of people living there and they talk about drugs and deal all the time. Now that the owner told her I called, I'm scared of retaliation and what happens if she gets a retraining order against me? Do I have to move? I live within 100 feet of her.

Is there nothing I can do since the owner doesn't care? I'm scared and can't move myself. I'm very quiet but still young, so I don't look for anything or every little thing they do wrong. I'm just tired of the garbage, smell, drugs, and late nights. HELP!!

Answer 1

first off...call the cops and explain the situation.

next contact your health department and tell them about the nasty trash around their place..they should either one be able to do something about it or at least know who you should call and give you a number.  you have done nothing wrong therefore she shouldnt be able to get a restraining order against you..she is the one using drugs and being ignorant..if anything she should be afraid ofyou..if she has child contact social services if she is using drugs and not to mention the household going nasty.  there are options you can do..just take that first step by calling the police and the health department to ask your questions.  good luck dear

Answer 2

Oh, for God's sake, what makes you so sure that they are dealing? A lot of my family members deal drugs.  They come to my house & hang out.  They know better than to bring that sh it to my home.  Just because they look like dealers and/or look high doesn't mean they are dealing.  

As for the loud partying, call the police!!!  Disturbing the peace is not allowed & is a police matter, not the landlord.

What makes you so sure that they would retaliate?  I just love it when people base their opinions on how people look.

I would be pissed at you too if you called my landlord with out knowing for sure that your allegations about drugs were true.  That's slander.

As far as the restraining order, she has to have a legitimate reason to have one & she doesn't unless you have threatened her.

Answer 3

You (and many, many others) misunderstand the responsibilities of landlords.  We own properties which we rent to others.  However, we are not responsible for the behavior of those tenants. You need to get the police involved in this scenario.  There are laws about noise and drugs.  Enforcing those laws is the job of the police and the courts.

Call the city sanitation department about the excessive garbage.  You can get this handled, but don't expect their landlord to do it.

Answer 4

Call the police and speak to them about conducting a citizen's arrest for the next instance.  They'll guide you from there.

Answer 5

If the trash is not getting picked up, the home owner's association should intervene.

If she is doing drugs, or disturbing the peace, call the cops - every time!

Answer 6

Call  the Health Department and make a new complaint every day against the owner of the neighbors property until the garbage is picked up. The tenant is responsible for the bill, but the owner is responsible for seeing to that the the property is clean. Make a police report against your neighbor for harassing and threatening a minor get you a restraining order  if you have to, to keep her away from your child and there is a such thing as your rights to live in a livable environment. Call or go to your tenant/landlord court and they can assist you with the correct law that apply to your situation. Start now looking for a new place to live,it sounds like the landlord is the problem.

Answer 7

call 311 and report it