Should I let tenants leave early due to pot smoking neighbours?

by Readers Question

12:01 AM, 21st July 2025, 9 months ago 8

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Hi everyone, Our elderly tenants are having issues with some tenants in a neighbouring block of flats. Our tenants’ new build bungalow backs onto an area of open land, which is the ‘garden area’ for the small block of flats.

Lately, they and other neighbours have been complaining to the site manager of the new build site about the ‘pot smoking habits’ of the tenants of the flats. Our tenants are elderly, and they find it so distressing that they are asking if they can end the tenancy early (they are seven months into a twelve-month agreement).

The site manager has asked the pot smokers not to do it, but they continue. Other owners are also complaining, but fear that if they take the matter to the law, then issues may well escalate.

I’m unsure what to do, should I let these lovely tenants leave early, or should I insist they comply with the terms of the contract and hand the matter over to the police?

Thanks,

Margo

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Tags: anti-social behaviour, neighbour disputes, smoking neighbours, tenants breaking lease

Comments

The_Maluka Read Full Bio

Member Since May 2015 - Comments: 2190 - Articles: 2

10:01 AM, 21st July 2025, About 9 months ago

Regrettably, the police will do nothing. Let your elderly tenants move early, for there are plenty more to fill their place.

2 Report Comment Reply
John Adair

Member Since September 2021 - Comments: 17

10:17 AM, 21st July 2025, About 9 months ago

Had similar issue with neighbours dealing dope next door to an HMO of mine. Reporting to Police was waste of time. Yes I would let couple leave early

4 Report Comment Reply
Blodwyn Read Full Bio

Member Since August 2016 - Comments: 508

1:04 PM, 21st July 2025, About 9 months ago

Do the decent thing for your lovely tenants and publish to the heavens!
Report to the Police.

1 Report Comment Reply
DAMIEN RAFFERTY

Member Since September 2022 - Comments: 192

2:32 PM, 21st July 2025, About 9 months ago

You own and Rent out a new build bungalow ?
Allow your Tenants to leave and get it back on the market at Full market rent.
Hens teeth comes to mind
RE So many people looking for a bungalow to rent

2 Report Comment Reply
Mark Smith

Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 51

3:23 PM, 21st July 2025, About 9 months ago

Be ready to let your tenants end the tenancy early BUT only if the provide you with a formal written signed statement as to why the are leaving early.
You then have solid evidence should you wish to pursue a case seeking compensation from pot smoking neighbours seeking compensation for loss of income and damage to your busineess through their antisocial behaviour.

If they continue to be indiscrete in their recreational activities they may hinder you from reletting at full market rent.. so you maybe need to be quite businesslike on this.

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Reluctant Landlord

Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3511 - Articles: 5

4:38 PM, 21st July 2025, About 9 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Mark Smith at 21/07/2025 – 15:23
ahh but then if you find a new tenant are you not obliged to tell them about the issue now you have been made aware?

I’d get them to just give a standard surrender in writing with no reason needed.

Going forward, if the new tenants raise an issue, you will need to tell them THEY have to inform the council as it may constitute AS behaviour but the evidence will also need to be supplied by them to the council for the council to do anything. You as the LL can do absolutely nothing as you are not the person being directly affected.

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Keith Gaston

Member Since July 2025 - Comments: 1

5:48 AM, 22nd July 2025, About 9 months ago

It might be an actionable civil nuisance ie civil remedies . Maybe contact Env Health and or managers of adjacent property . This is not legal advice but link follows – https://www.google.com/search?q=is+neighbours+drug+use+an+actionable+nuisance&oq=is+neighbours+drug+use+an+actionable+nuisance+&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCTI0MzQ4ajBqN6gCD7ACAQ&client=ms-android-samsung-ss&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

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Reluctant Landlord

Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3511 - Articles: 5

10:01 AM, 22nd July 2025, About 9 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Keith Gaston at 22/07/2025 – 05:48
ultimately still down to the tenants to report and progress.

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