A Lehighton landlord has asked for direction on how to handle a dispute with a former tenant.

Resident Sal Lentini told borough council on Monday that a tenant hasn’t paid him rent for many months.

Lentini said it’s turned into a costly issue for him, and that he’s reached out to the police department and been to the magistrate’s office.

Borough police Chief Brian Biechy told Lentini the police department can only do what it can in this instance.

“It’s a landlord/tenant issue,” Biechy said. “There’s only so much as law enforcement that we can do.”

Lentini said his issue is with both the tenant and the police department.

Mayor Clark Ritter told Lentini that he spoke with a pair of officers who told him on separate occasions that Lentini was not cooperative with them.

Lentini said after nine months of dealing with the situation, he just wants to be left alone.

Council ultimately referred Lentini to the sheriff’s department.