Lately we have a problem with my elderly relative's old house. We have been fixing it with fast pace hoping to rent or sell it. It has been ...

Question

Lately we have a problem with my elderly relative's old house. We have been fixing it with fast pace hoping to rent or sell it. It has been empty for 1 year. In late Sept, there were some bad people hanging around to do drugs. We found some kits. But we just locked the gate now and fixed some stuff. More workers are around. The winter is coming and it will be freezing cold for the bad people.

The problem is the neighbor who insisted that we hire a guard for the courtesy for the neighbors. However, this is crime, not about neighbors. We don't owe them the guard even if we hire one. They want to tell the community about it. But we are victims. What right do the neighbors have? I understand they are afraid. This is an upperclass area but the train/subway station is nearby.

Isn't this a police business?

Thanks

Answer

If there are drug issues, you have several problems, and hiring someone may not be a bad idea, but unless there's a local ordinance or you are part of a homeowners' association normally there is no such requirement. One problem you do have is that if you know of the use of the property for drug trafficking or use, there are criminal sanctions and a neighbor could turn you in. If the place is vacant and is vandalized or burned, you may not be able to make an insurance claim if you knew of these things and the place is vacant (itself a problem for insurance). In the end you may need to weigh the cost of hiring someone if things are that bad, versus some of the things that could happen that are worse.