Escalate Hostile Tenant Disputes to Police Early

A tenant who occupies part of your property presents a security risk that is qualitatively different from a neighbourhood dispute: they already have lawful presence within your perimeter at all hours, which means a dispute that turns hostile can escalate at a time and location you cannot control. In May 2026, a 45-year-old Carenage man was targeted by his own tenant at 1:10 a.m. outside his home; the tenant, who occupied the downstairs section of the property, emerged armed with a firearm and fired two shots — one into the air, then one directly at the victim. Unlike a conflict with an external neighbour, there was no gate to shut, no road to retreat to, and no barrier between them. The tenant knew the layout of the shared property and could reach the landlord at will.

Steps to follow:

• If a dispute with a tenant — over rent arrears, noise, property damage, or behaviour — escalates to raised voices, threats, or any threatening gesture, treat it as a police matter from that point forward and file a formal complaint rather than attempting to resolve it through further direct discussion.
• Never approach the section of your property occupied by a tenant alone at night; if something must be addressed urgently, wait until daylight and bring a witness.
• Where the property layout allows, install a locked physical barrier between your living section and the tenant’s — a locked internal door, gate, or grille reduces the risk of unannounced access at any hour.
• When serving an eviction notice or delivering any formal communication that may provoke conflict, do not do so alone; have a witness present or engage a lawyer or bailiff to handle the process.
• If a tenant has discharged a firearm on the property — even a single shot described as a warning — call 999 immediately, leave the property if it is safe to do so, and do not re-engage that night; treat it as an active armed threat, not a dispute.
• Document every incident involving a threatening tenant: date, time, what was said or done, and any witnesses. This record supports any legal action and demonstrates to police that the threat was escalating.