Hi Rachel. This sounds like a frustrating situation! As a landlord, you’ve already taken a good step by talking to the neighbors and having them clean up after their cat. Unfortunately, when it comes to outdoor animals, it can be hard to control where they go.
Here are a few additional steps you might consider:
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Create clear communication with your renter: Let them know that you’ve spoken to the neighbors and that you’re doing your best to address the issue. This can help them feel heard, even if the solution isn’t immediate.
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Consult local ordinances: Some areas have specific rules about outdoor animals and nuisance behavior. It’s worth checking if any local laws can help you enforce something more formal.
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Encourage a deterrent: There are non-toxic sprays and devices that can help keep cats out of certain areas. For example, motion-activated sprinklers or ultrasonic devices can deter cats from entering the yard.
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Consider a cat-proof barrier: This could be a little more involved, but installing fencing or netting around the yard might prevent the cat from entering the space in the first place.
Ultimately, it’s tough because this is more of a neighborly issue than something you, as the landlord, can directly control. But keeping open lines of communication with both your renter and the neighbor might help find a solution everyone is comfortable with.
Hope this helps!
