Complaint from neighbour re my tenant

[Belinda5]

I own an apartment that I let out through an agency. I've just had a message from someone in the block complaining that they've had the police knocking on the door today trying to get in touch with my current tenant and asking questions about his movements. This neighbour is saying he's been a nuisance for a while, is on drugs and they've made several complaints to the management company and I need to be more careful about who I let my property to as I'm putting other tenants at risk. Apart from one communication from the management company saying he was causing disturbance at night time, and smoking in communal areas I knew nothing about this. It's really upset me and has ruined a lovely evening with my extended family.
AIBU to think this neighbour shouldn't have texted me like that out of the blue. I will follow up tomorrow but am really shaken at being accused of putting other people at risk. I have handed the letting out of my apartment to an agency and have no say or decision over who it is let out to.

It's the part where you say they ruined your evening because of the text. As others have said you have benefited from the rental income so you also have to take responsibility for the tenants experience.

That is the most stupid advice ever.

I have had to tell people to contact the landlord directly in real emergencies that would have caused structural damage to the property if left longer as the management agents were not doing their job.

You come across quite self centred. The neighbours are probably living a nightmare because of your tenant.

You should be grateful to the neighbour for letting you know that your property is being misused and direct your anger towards the agency that is not doing the job they’re getting paid for.

I'd get rid of the tenant and the agent. Then go around with a bottle of wine and an apology for the neighbour. They’ve done you a favour by letting you know so you can take action and protect your asset.

Thank the neighbour for the heads up. Forward their message to the management company and tell them to handle getting rid of the tenant and vetting the next one better.

Ahhh, diddums. Out of interest what did you do when you heard about your tenants antisocial behaviour the first time?

Landlord here - your agency is at fault and you need to talk to them. You are not responsible for your tenant's behaviour - your tenant is. But you might need to do a no-fault eviction.

So what did you do when you were told he was causing disturbances at night and smoking in communal areas? Either way you need to deal with this as a matter of urgency and put your own inconvenience aside. You have a bad tenant, it happens but it isn't you who is having your life turned upside down by his behaviour.

Aye, right. Why does the neighbour have your mobile number?

Not unbelieveable if the OP used to live in the flat before she rented it out?

Do you give all your neighbours your phone number? I can’t think of any neighbours that have mine. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Yes, at least three of my neighbours have my phone number as we are friends.

One has my door keys as we are each others keyholders.

The agency work for you so ultimately the decision over who the tenant is is yours. You can't wash your hands of it.

I suspect you got the text because from their point of view nothing has been done despite their complaints. You say yourself you only know of one complaint. I would be checking with the management company just how many they have received and what they have done.

Your anger is misdirected, Don’t be angry with neighbour, it’s the management agency who should be in the firing line here. They aren’t managing the property properly. Things must be pretty bad if for the neighbour to go to the trouble of letting you know how bad things are.

You had one ruined evening, OP, they’ve possibly had many ruined evenings. Perspective, OP. When I rented the agency got input from the LL on potential tenants before proceeding.

Ruined your evening?

How about a bit of empathy for the people in that building who are having to deal with someone who uses drugs, is noisy at night and now is on the police's radar because you rented a flat to them?

You hired an agency but ultimately it is your property and you are responsible. It is likely the agency has done sod all to address the complaints so the residents are now reaching out to you.

Frankly, you should thank them for alerting you of the fact that you have a nightmare tenant who is probably trashing your property and conducting illegal activities on site.

Instead on focusing on the neighbour who contacted you you should be urgently talking to the agent, arrange to inspect the property and start eviction procedures.

Do the recent replies realise this was posted 3 months ago ...

If you're concerned about putting other people at risk it might be useful to review the agreement with your agent. Ensure that they check references from applicants wanting to rent your property and that they let you know if any complaints are made

I’d ask your agent to arrange an inspection of the flat. Make sure it isn’t being damaged.

Maybe not, but you need to get onto the management company and demand what the hell is going on?

Are they doing anything or happy to Just take their cut and ignore the crap others are putting up with.
I'd have responded to the neighbour saying thanks for getting in contact, you haven't been informed of any issues but you will definitely get onto it now.
You can't just sit there taking the money and be unaccountable for a residence you actually own. It's your responsibility even if you have a company sorting it, especially if the police are involved.