Anyone have any suggestions on what to do about unsupervised children on the property?

Anyone have any suggestions on what to do about unsupervised children on the property?

We have sent out emails, posted notices and spoken to the parents directly with nothing being done.

The children are bullying each other, pulling out trash and scattering it throughout the community, vandalizing the buildings, jamming the locks of our mailboxes and overall just destroying the community.

I talked with my attorney and in WA state we are advised not to send out ANY 10 day notices or even threaten repercussions unless it very serious / can be taken to court.

I just want people to watch their kids! Help!

Tar and feather them ????

send a final warning to parents; failure to supervised their children and/or abided by the rules and regulations will jeopardize continual residency. Or "fine" their account for each infraction. Sometimes when you hit the "pocket/wallet" it gets their attention.

Video everything..start calling DCFS and report it..anyone under 18 in most states are minors and childrens parents need to be held accountable..

I was told children are a protected class and that it could get very tricky. You can set age limits for amenities but cannot require supervision for outdoor play. You also cannot restrict the type of play such as "no basketball" etc. However if you are concerned about a child's welfare and you feel they are in danger you can contact Child protective Services to speak to the parents. Good Luck!! ????

Trish Curfman I think that’s my next step. Calling CPS.
You’re right about things being tricky because their a protected class.
Thanks for the tip!

Cherina Mullins I don’t recommend that you get CPS involved. That’s a story that the media would milk up to the last drop and can make you and your management company or owners look really bad. Is better to serve 10 day notices and file for eviction the right way.

Alfonso Escareno I would do that, but I don’t have the ability to post 10 day notices and threaten an eviction to a family without proof it was their child. Collectively it is chalked up to children not being supervised on the property. The mom is at work and her 3 year old is out playing in only a diaper with his 6 year old brother. Only in situations like this would I contact CPS.

Be very careful about addressing behaviors of one group eg children. Could be a Fair Housing issue. Address the lease violation regardless of the age of the resident. Document everything!

Un supervised children I would call the police officer for the community or on duty police. Vandalism and property damage. Let them do there jobs and find out where the kids belong.

I had a similar situation. I seven dayed all the neighbors that had kids in the group. Each parent was upset and came to me with their notice. I asked them to come talk to me in person with their child. I have excellent relationships with my residents so I am comfortable as they are with me to "talk directly to their child in their presence". Kids are the best/worst! They will snitch each other out immediately! LOL I had one kid give me the breakdown on it all. Shes like I admit, I was the one who put the gravel in the pool. But 505 put shampoo in the fountain, 105 colored the sides with chalk, 204 pulled the fire alarm, 204 also messed with the mailboxes and 204 throws rocks at cars, he posted it on tik tok too! Then she told me all about the adults that let their dogs swim in the fountain and so on. I love her! haha. So then how was I gonna prove 204 had a tik tok? Well I have three teenage daughters! so within 10 minutes one of them found the kid with just the first name I knew of. So I then showed the grandma, who he lives with, the tik tok video right in front of him as he denied it. That was great. Anyway, Im always nice to the kids and ask them about their friends and their sports and stuff and the parents know that so it was easier for me to get the info straight out of the horses mouth. I also always say hello to them in passing so they know Im watching.

hahaha this is great! I have a good relationship with my residents too, a lot of the issue is language barriers or the parents just straight up not caring. Wish me luck lol.

While you cannot mention children or minors we have been authorized to state the following:
Any occupants and/or guests found to be vandalizing tor leaving garbage on the property will be found in violation of RCW 59.18.180 (1)
You cannot do a 10 day right now or a fee for noncompliance however you can give a notice of non-compliance which gives no timeline to rectify.
Always says occupants and/or guests and once the moratorium expires 10 day them 3x and you can then move forward.

If you haven't already send lease violation letters to the residents who are breaking the rules at least you can begin creating a file if this behavior doesn't stop so when you do file evictions the judge can see they had opportunity to correct the behaviors. Also if they are damaging property bill them for cleaning and repairs.

Social issues are extremely hard at least to my experience for eviction. If there's police reports tied to it it makes it quite a bit easier but best you can do is document everything and non-renew. Put reminders in the community newsletter about being responsible for occupants of your apartment and guests. Good luck not going to be easy

I am having the same issue with a couple of the same kids, I think I know who, but being out after hours and causing issues and harassing other residents, but because I cant 100% prove it, I just keep sending general notices to everyone about quiet hrs and keeping kids in after dark. I am also an onsite manager so I see and hear most everything, and they all know that, but still refuse to fix the situation!! totally feel your pain on this!

Because I live and operate in florida, I'll tell you what I do. Follow the rules of Darwinism. If you can legally not renew the lease, then do so. Yes your vacancy rate is up, and your repairs go through the roof because of the first year implementation and high turnover, The long term is low to nil turnover and a cleaner development. that leads to higher rental rates for owners. Nothing better than coming home to a clean place.

Children are a protected class. That being said, what would you do if a grown adult was running around screaming their head off? Running in front of cars? Disturbing neighbors? Throwing rocks? Leaving trash behind? You would 10 day them. So 10 day them! “On or about 7/6/20 it was brought to our attention that a member of your household was running in front of cars / screaming / disturbing the peace and quiet enjoyment of the community / throwing rocks in the pool”

I think a better way to do it is create programs for these children the parents are obviously away trying to make your rent money. I actually have a pilot program in Dallas where I charge $9.99 per unit to do programs for kids www.thecaremasters.com

Be careful. I’ve been witness to two Fair Housing lawsuits that claim attack on familial status. Avoid using the terminology children when addressing the issue. Keep it broad in your explanations. I would consult an attorney about how to enforce the peaceful quiet enjoyment policy In matters like this.

Unless someone on here is practicing law in WA I would hesitate to take their advice. No offense to anyone here. ???? PS you can serve a 10 Day here now. You just need to be darn sure it could stick if you could take action. ???? I wish you good luck with the bored destructive kids and lazy parents. It’s familiar. I have properties with them as well. It’s a shame. ????

there are some things I’ve seen work at other communities but it takes commitment from you. Give them something to do that will stop the boredom. Chores, games, helping others. Come up with things that need to be done. Make a list and let them choose. There has to be something in it for them. You have to find what motivates each one separately. Ice cream social at end of day? Mystery gift? (Wrapped toys they pick blindly). Pool patrol, teacher to the younger kids, the list can go on and on. Get to know your kids, find a way for them to have a sense of community and pride. Some just need attention others are starving for structure. Be that mentor that helps guide them in the right direction and they will come around.

You cannot prohibit children from playing outside. You will be accused of discrimination to families. I can send you a copy of the addendum I use.

We too have been advised that children are a protected class and cannot be singled out in any policy or regulation. This means we cannot "require adult supervision." We have addressed this situation, from a lease perspective, by having a clause that makes the leaseholder responsible for the behavior and actions of any member of their household or guests. We notice the leaseholder, referencing this provision. We also establish a good working relationship with the Crime Prevention Specialists through local law enforcement offices. We report upticks in any issues and request increases in ride-throughs by patrol cars. This remains a sticky situation.

Pixie Sticks and Jolt Cola!

This comes up a lot and especially now with the COVID19. Kids are restless and so are the parents. We've taken a more proactive approach and started a weekly coloring contest for kids, adults and seniors. We have have sent out crossword puzzles and Sudoku for the adults and seniors as well. We put copies outside for them to pick at the office or we post it to Active Building for them to download. Also, I have asked my managers to go talk to the kids, see why and what is happening. They just need someone to hear them out usually and care, they usually settle down after a talk. If that doesn't work then call the household first, if that doesn't work then send a warning notice, if that doesn't work send a lease violation notice and so on.