What happens to the landlord if tenants are busted for selling illegal drugs from the rental?

Sean X
#1. March 21st, 2009, at 7:22 AM.

You are going down.

smashtk
#2. March 21st, 2009, at 10:49 AM.

NO! Unless they can prove that you had knowledge of it, and/or profited from it.

SarahLiz82678
#3. March 22nd, 2009, at 6:38 PM.

No because legally that is their residense. The law says you cant even go inside without their permission so how could you know what was going on there. People get busted in Govt owned housing all the time and noone is charged even though the apt managers know its going on. Unless they can prove you are helping them make/sell/buy drugs you wont be held responsible.
If you are worried about it make an anonymous call to the local police and then when/if they are arrested run down to landlord/tenant court and file a 30 day notice on them to get out. Then change your lease to include you have the right to kick them out if they are arrested for illegal activities. It works for smoking, kids, and pets why not drugs.

A woman I know rented a house to a man who was arrested for child pornography at her rental property. She had no clue he was doing anything wrong. She wasnt charged with anything.

porcerelllisman q
#4. March 24th, 2009, at 5:19 AM.

won’t get next months rent

CGIV76
#5. March 26th, 2009, at 8:59 PM.

Why would you specifically say Crystal Meth?.

Barkin Chickens
#6. March 27th, 2009, at 4:00 AM.

Just make a call and have an officer come by to speak with you. You don’t need to file a “formal” complaint. Just voice your suspicions.

Our locals use the meter readers (utilities) to help bust meth labs. It has embarrassed them on more than one occasion though…when the home owner had about 30 cats inside the house causing “said suspicious” odor.

clwg1953@sbcglobal.net
#7. March 29th, 2009, at 6:33 PM.

If the tenants are busted inside the home that you own, it can be seized from you. Once seized, if it can be proven you were aware of the illegal activities, they can keep it and sell it for penalties. You could be charged with keeping a house of nuisance. The town council here where I live, just passed some rental ordinances which state that a landlord must make it their business to know what is happening on their properties. They must include criminal background checks in their leases so they are aware if their renters could be problematic. They must include warnings in the lease that state, if there are problems with police being called or continuous traffic in and out at all hours, (a sign of drug dealing), will lead to automatic eviction. The ordinance was passed because of the increased crime that is being experienced in our town, and most of the crime and criminals are the renters. This information comes from the Police Department and the Mayor.

true_blue_canadian_copper
#8. April 1st, 2009, at 3:38 PM.

Landlords are not responsible for criminal acts their tenants perform in their apartments. Even if you don’t have proof, contact your local crimestoppers number and tell them what you know, maybe they are waiting for that extra bit of information to obtain a warrant.

argue with a tree
#9. April 2nd, 2009, at 2:15 AM.

unless you had previous knowledge that you kept from law enforcement…no you won’t.
but apparently you have previous knowledge and by posting this question that’s proof. Why don’t you call you’re cities non-emergency number and ask them. you could also anonymously report them if you wanted to.

fr_chuck
#10. April 3rd, 2009, at 7:57 AM.

not charged, but the police can take the house from you.

Also if they are making the meth and don’t take the house, the clean up of a house after they make meth in it costs over 20,000 dollars.

msmegan06
#11. April 5th, 2009, at 1:33 AM.

Best thing to do, to save your a$$ just in case, would be to contact the local police and let them know that you suspect that are selling drugs. make a report and let them know that you are the landlord. That way you have made a report. You could always confront the tenants and let them know that if anything illegal is going on, they will have 30 days to move out. Id tell them that you had a problem with it in another rental house/apt and you just want to make sure everyone is clear. Or put a letter in there mailbox stating the above. a little white lie never hurt anyone. Good luck