Getting Drugs Out Of A Neighborhood

What is the best way of getting the police to stop drug activity in a area. Looking at a downtown Orlando property with good cash flow, but notice cars driving up and the kids selling drugs to them right in the middle of the streets. Did see a patrol car come through, but they would just scatter off until the patrol car left.

Thanks for any info

Comments(16)

  • InActive_Account11th May, 2005

    Cash flow today, will there be cash flow tomorrow? The risk of this purchase is far to great and I would focus on Location first and formost. This is just my humble opinion.

    Dave

  • jmpage11th May, 2005

    Usually I would agree with you, but the City is redoing the roads in the area and putting in new lamp posts. I know this is a risk area but is so close to downtown Orlando that I am willing to take that risks

  • mojojojo_111th May, 2005

    I agree, seems like some scary stuff to be involved in, but kinda self rewarding.

    ...never really got why people quote huge sections...

  • Medusa5211th May, 2005

    Is your question how can I possibly solve a historic social problem (drugs):that has directly caused the downfall of millions of great Americans-millions of immpresionable youth-and the resignation of drug czar Bob Bennett-not to better the human suffering and misery on relatives of drug addicted Americans-but to be able to break into the slumlord business in Orlando because they are putting up street lamps there? Buddy-if you can figure this one out-not only will you make money in Orland -we will name a few churches after you no matter your misguided intentions.

  • jmpage12th May, 2005

    No I realize you are not going to get dugs completly out of the neighborhood, but I think getting pressure to the police to increase patrols, you can get it so its not so open. You can go to most expensive neighborhood and there are still drugs, people just go inside to do the deals instead of the middle of the road. I am not trying to save the world just trying to increase the property values.

  • karensilver17th May, 2005

    About the website suggestion I would not do it. I do know someone who set up a website that shows a new home every week with code volitions and he publishes their address and names of the owner. I will tell you the owners do like it I am not sure if it gets them to clean up their homes or not. This guy has gotten alot of media and goes to all the town meetings and speaks. Myself I would see if there are any neighbors interested in cleaning up the town and then get together and talk to the police.

  • jmpage17th May, 2005

    Thanks for all the suggestions, I do believe you have to be careful on how your approach the situation, I will probably just constantly report the activity to the police and see what they can do.

    Thanks

  • ahimon17th May, 2005

    Offer a free apartment to a cop!

  • cjmazur14th May, 2005

    check what the proper procedure is in FL.

    How agressive do you want to be?

    Assuming not month-month and you want to keep them: I would give them written notice of the violations, and ask the to correct the problem w/in (say) 10 days.

  • edmeyer21st May, 2005

    Robert_L,

    Telling a tenant no pets may not hold much weight. It needs to be in your contract. If not, it appears as if you are trying to unilaterally modify the rental agreement. You certainly cannot go to court and have your tenant hold up the agreement showing no wording that prohibits pets.

    If you have a month-to-month rental agreement, you can write an addendum prohibiting pets that ammends the rental agreement beginning next month. If you have a long term lease it may be more difficult.

    With the extra adult, I would begin a dialog with the tenant and ask the tenant about the person. You may get an answer that the "brother" is just visiting. If so, you can ask when the visit is over and remind the tenant of the "5 day visiting rule" or whatever is in your agreement. If there is no language, you can tell the tenant that any visitor staying more than (fill in the blank) days is a violation. Then check back at a later time when the tenant indicated the visitor should be gone to see if there has been compliance.

    Visitors are always a touchy subject, but if your tenants feel you are serious about enforcing rental agreements, often they will try to comply. I have tenants ask me if someone can stay for an extended period of time. Usually, I grant this and follow with my expectations.

    Good luck,

    Ed[ Edited by edmeyer on Date 05/21/2005 ]

  • NewKidinTown220th May, 2005

    Lack of sufficient credit history is why you get co-guarantors. As an additional hedge against the pitfall you experienced, I also collect two months rent as a security deposit. You say the tenants had sufficient income, but how much income did you allow for the real estate job. A real estate agent works on commission, so a brand new agent might not see a commission for some time. Generally speaking, an established agent only makes about $17K for every $1 million in real estate he sells.

    When the tenant asked to break the lease, you might have explored the reasons behind the request (assuming you did not). If the tenant had told you that his income is insufficient to meet the rent, you would have processed a move-out immediately, and deduct the balance of the rental month from security deposit. Then, get the unit ready as quickly as possible for a tenant with the ability to pay.

    You lost focus on the primary job of a rental property owner. Your job is to get renters paying your mortgage. Trying to enforce a lease for a non-paying tenant is just an exercise in frustration -- costs you money in the long run and does not pay your mortgage. Next time, release the tenant without giving the matter a second thought then fill the unit as quickly as possible.

  • edmeyer21st May, 2005

    You are not always going to have ideal tenants. You can never tell what may happen during a tenancy. I recently rented to a couple that filed bankruptcy within the last two years and another person with spotty credit and a criminal record. Both have been very good tenants, pay on time, and are very fussy about their domicile.

    I would have a discussion with the guarantors and remind them of why you insisted on having a guarantor. Also remind them that they agreed by signing. Tell them that you are sumpathetic to their situation and will work with them to help them fulfill their obligations under the guarantee.

    Good luck,
    Ed

  • Maddog5621st May, 2005

    First, the seller should have been required to deliver the house vacant as a condition of sale, if that is how you wanted it. Probably too late for that now.

    Absent a written lease, I would pursue one of two tracks to get her out. Send her a letter notifying her that she will have to leave by day X (allowing 30-60 days notification).

    If she stops paying the rent she was paying the former owner, immediately begin eviction proceedings in accordance with state law. Do not accept partial payment or excuses. You can always offer to pay her something to help with moving expenses, if you feel so obligated.

    As far as documents, I recommend the ever faithful on-line search for what you are looking for. There are myriad sites out there that have free form letters.

  • dlitedan22nd May, 2005

    The guy I use does not get paid until the job is done. I know it is a risk on his part because I could walk away and not pay, but if I do that then he can put a lean on the property he did the work on. It is always easier for a contractor to get restatution then the client.

  • cdkerr122nd May, 2005

    https://www.dllr.state.md.us/secdocs/pq/PQ_search.cfm?board=HomeImprovement&criteria=PName aThis is where you can go in Md. to find if a contractor is licensed. And he is only allowed to get 1/3 down. Being a contractor I can understand getting something down to reserve time to do the job and for materials, but not put down too much. And then i usually have a payment when work has started, 1/2 done, and upon completion

  • royalfortune22nd May, 2005

    Excellent link, thank you!

    MC

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