Dear Abby,
I am a landlord with a fourplex in Campbell, California, and my tenants are not getting along. One tenant constantly complains about another, while the other claims she is being harassed. Both come to me with all their problems, and I feel stuck in the middle. Can I choose which one I want to leave?
— Stuck in the Middle
Dear Stuck in the Middle,
As a landlord, your role is not to pick sides but to manage your property in a fair, legal, and professional manner. California law does not allow you to evict a tenant simply because you prefer one over the other. Instead, your job is to set clear expectations for all tenants and maintain a peaceful living environment.
Step back from the personal conflicts and position yourself as a neutral party. Let both tenants know that they need to resolve their differences respectfully because ongoing disputes can affect everyone in the building. If their issues escalate to violations of lease terms—such as harassment, noise complaints, or other disturbances—you can take action based on documented lease violations, not personal preference.
Make it clear that if they cannot coexist peacefully, both risk lease termination. Your job is to protect the integrity of your rental property, not to mediate personal disputes. Set firm boundaries, communicate professionally, and remind them that they are responsible for living harmoniously within the community.
— Abby
