Around 2 weeks ago a "homeless" guy climbed on top of a 1st story apartment roof and then broke into a 2nd bathroom window. The unit was occupied by a 30+ year old women who managed to escape to seek help with tenants in another unit.

Since then the "homeless" guy was caught by police, because he was breaking into other properties on that block and neighbors and tenants were calling the police station located 3 blocks away. The guy was taken to a mental hospital for a 72 hour observation, then released.

And now he's back again terrorizing everyone. The police want me to put on a clowns suit and jump through hoops before they will take action -- you know what I mean! I have to file the same paperwork again and hang newer no trespassing signs with both the City and State Penal Codes.

Now 3 apartments, who were paying their rent through the pandemic, are thinking about moving.

If I try to make a private person's arrest, the "Homeless" guy gets a Fee Defense Lawyer paid by the tax payers. I he get hurt during the arrest, he have the name of a good contingency attorney who will sue me for defending myself, my tenants and my property.

Because I'm not allowed by California to use defensive weapons, It has to be lethal to be legal, go figure.

I would follow through and file the paperwork the Police are asking for. Make copies for your records.

Robert J,

I sympathize with you. At some point (and I think that point has arrived) the craziness just becomes too much. What is the point in continuing to put up with it? Money? The satisfaction of running a successful business?

You've built a nice life in the rental business. Now they seen determined to destroy it. At some point it becomes obvious that they are not going to relent or stop. When we accept this as fact we come to the realization that it's time for a change. We are not surrendering, we are simply moving to a better situation.

Man, it is hard to change! We've put a lifetime of work into building what we have and we don't want to leave it. Hard as it is, we are accustomed to it. Little by little, each incident takes another piece of us.

If we honestly believed that there was a solution - that it would get better- we could/would endure this craziness and push on with the idea that it would get better. Instead, every day we see more of the craziness.

Your outnumbered and surrounded by craziness.

Normally, I'd say install cameras and lights but if he's being released so quickly, fear of being spotted on camera and being arrested probably isn't discouraging enough to deter him.

The only thing that's going to discourage that guy is a good beating. Police aren't able to lock him up and he knows it. I think it's time to organize a neighborhood watch at the apartment complex. Install lights, and a siren that activates when motion is tripped and let every tenant know about the siren. Maybe buy the tenants bats.

Robert, you are, if your posts are to be believed, a multimillionaire, “of a certain age.” You could have sold out years ago, traveled the world, pursued hobbies, volunteered time to causes you believe in, or just kick back and enjoy your money with your family and friends.

But you didn’t. You love the drama. You love to post of how corrupt your city and state governments are, how incompetent your partners are, and how evil some of you tenants are. And how you always outsmart them in the end.

While it's true I do post about negative situations I've had/having, these only reflect a few percentage of my dealings. The good stuff is business as usual. Most of my tenants are good, stay with me over 5 years and get their full deposits back.

My major partners, family, do travel 4 months out of every year. Since I'm stuck running the show and keeping things going ( as a licensed contractor ), I never can be more than a few days away. My downfall.

Back in 2005-7 I disposed of most of my faraway rentals in the slums, Class "C" and below. Just before the market dropped. I could not take the rush hour traffic and additional rules imposed on Landlords and Contractors.

Over my 43 years of owning income property, each time I've trained crews to deal with day to day activities, eventually they move one and I have to find new help and re-train them again. Not easy to keep good people. Even a resident manager whom gets free rent, free utilities and a check every week. Some other landlord will see how well I've trained them and bribe them with a nicer newer building/apartment.

Can you put bars or something to make it more difficult to be there?

Robert J, I hate to hear of these problems that you are having.

I really enjoy reading your post and your brilliant solutions. This is the first time that I have read you post in this manner so I am under the impression that things are getting much worse there. I know that you are a smart and experienced man and I am sure that you will find a great solution. That said, have you ever considered just retiring and enjoying your life as your partners have, who leave you with all of the work? Life is too short, my internet friend. Why die miserable and everyone else lives the good life off of your extremely hard work and frustration?

Thank you 6X6 (TN). Over my 43 years of landlording, I've attended hundreds of conventions by our various Apartment Associations. This is where I met Jeffrey Taylor, Mr. Landlord. At those conventions I've gotten lots or resources that aided me with my problems.

But when my City and State passes rules and regulations that allow criminals to continue their terror with little to no consequences, then the Prosecuting's Attorney lets the police know they need take little to no action to help landlords because their office won't seek justice for victims.

I live in southern California. I'm truly exhausted and perplexed by reading Robert J's posts. I, too, belive he loves negativity and drama. Smh. If California is that bad, leave. Pick your battles. I think Robert J needs to attend the Mr Landlord conventions.