Landlord Questions Tenant’s Claim That He Sleepwalks

Dear Abby: I am a man who owns a large four-bedroom home, and I have two tenants. One pays the rent on time, helps with cleaning and yard work, and is an allaround great roommate. The other has been here for four months, has never paid his rent on time and always disappears when we must clear off the driveway or do yard work.

The major problem I have with this guy is he claims that he sleepwalks. Some mornings I have found the front door or garage door wide open.

Additionally, he raids the refrigerator late at night. He claims he doesn’t realize he’s doing it. It’s really annoying to find food I prepared the night before to take to work has been eaten.

I have spoken to him about it on numerous occasions, and he claims that he can’t control

it. I feel he should have told me about his issues prior to signing the lease. None of the references he gave mentioned his sleepwalking.

Is it considered a disability? Would I be discriminating against a disability if I chose to not renew his lease because of this? — Landlord

Dear Landlord: Because doors are being left open, it might be in your interest to install inexpensive security cameras. Sleepwalking (and sleep eating) can be symptoms of a sleep disorder, or possibly be caused by certain sleep medications. If your tenant is unaware of this, he should be informed and advised to be evaluated at a sleep disorder clinic.

Because he doesn’t pay rent on time or do other things expected of him, you may not be obligated to renew his lease. My advice is to talk to a lawyer.

Dear Abby: My ex-mother-in-law, “Blanche,” takes my 14-year-old daughter, “Grace,” shopping often. I was grateful at first, but now she buys her anything she wants.

Grace has a high school dance soon, and I was looking forward to shopping with her. But Blanche took her and bought her a $299 dress. I wasn’t consulted because Grace knew I would’ve said no.

I asked them to take the dress back, and Blanche said OK. A week later I called her to explain why I said no, but, she told me it was her Christmas

and birthday present, and she wasn’t taking it back.

How do I explain this to my daughter who has become self-entitled because of her grandmother? — Anything She Wants

Dear Anything: You have already explained it to your daughter. You told her it was too much money to spend. The problem isn’t just Grace, it’s also your ex-mother-inlaw. You are Grace’s mother, and your wishes should have been respected. I don’t blame you for being angry.