How to evict an overstaying guest from my apartment?

By Tenant

I’ve always thought that you’ll only get punished for doing something good when it’s a movie. But when I got stuck in a situation, I’d say good deeds also get punished in the real world.



I used to have a friend who got into some financial distress. She lost her job and ultimately got evicted from her apartment. So she needed a place to stay while she looks for another job. Since I live in an apartment that has two rooms, I offered to let her stay for a couple of weeks. My lease does not allow a sublease so she stayed as a tenant authorized by the landlord. She could need stay beyond a month.

Guess what, she’s been in my apartment for 2months. She has not found a job so she was not helping me with the bills. At first, I didn’t think the landlord was aware she has been there for two months because he hadn’t come knocking on my door. I used to dread that day.

I knew I could get evicted for breaking the lease agreement because of her and she seemed to be aware of this fact. I’ve been trying to evict her from my apartment but she just wouldn’t budge. I’ve served her with a 30-day notice on her first month and that didn’t work. So the only option left was really to tell my landlord about the situation that I was in.

When I told my landlord, he was very disappointed. He said that I could change the locks. I basically needed to do something to kick her out within three days; otherwise, he’ll serve me eviction papers for violating the lease agreement. Needless to say, I was in a predicament.

Long story short, I got her out and I’m still living in my apartment. The landlord tried to evict me even if I got her out on the 2nd day of the agreed three days but that’s in the past now. The RPA Mediation Services took care of that.

What did I do?

  • I called the police. She was living in my apartment for free. She slept on one bedroom but she was living out of a suitcase.
  • When she was out, I changed my locks. It was the landlord who suggested that I do this so I did.

Yes, the friendship is gone by now but I wouldn’t want to ruin my credit score and regret it for years. At least now, I still have a place to stay, my credit score is still in good standing and the landlord is friendly to me again. In the future, I’ll make sure to choose my friends well.

Edited on: Saturday, December 14th, 2013 6:50 am

10 Responses to “How to evict an overstaying guest from my apartment?”

My response: (We welcome stories, examples, explanations, answers and a touch of your personality)
 

Anonymous

February 20th, 2013 12:00 am

Good thing you’re not in California. If this happens in California, you can’t just call the Police. The police will not help. After 12 days, your friend can claim squatter rights and you will need to formally evict her. This means you need to go through the whole eviction process before you can kick her out. And yes, you’ll be spending a fortune in the process too.


Anonymous

February 20th, 2013 5:40 pm

I don’t care what the law says. I am very protective of my home and my family. If an overstaying guest does not move out, I will throw her out and change the locks. I will say that she threatened by kids and I’m just acting to defend my family.


Anonymous

February 21st, 2013 11:20 am

It is sad to know that there are just some people who would abuse you after everything that you’ve done for them. Here you are giving them a hand and they take your elbow and spit you in the eye. Maybe that’s why only a few people take the time to help out


Anonymous

February 22nd, 2013 5:00 am

But if there was some rent money involved, then this will become an entirely different story. You will need to go through the formal eviction process and a sheriff will be showing them the door, not the police.


Anonymous

February 22nd, 2013 10:40 pm

Are you on a month to month lease? Move out and leave your friend there. Pass the problem to the landlord.


Anonymous

February 23rd, 2013 4:20 pm

She is not paying rent so she has no right to be there. Just throw her out.


Anonymous

February 24th, 2013 10:00 am

I wonder why your landlord still served you eviction papers when your friend has already left the apartment. Maybe the landlord did not know that she left already? It’s nice that you found RPA and you immediately asked for help.


Anonymous

February 25th, 2013 3:40 am

The laws protect landlord and tenants. I don’t think it has anything that protects tenats from unwanted and overstaying guests.


Anonymous

February 25th, 2013 9:20 pm

It’s nice to know that it all worked out for you.


Anonymous

February 26th, 2013 3:00 pm

Making living in your apartment as horrible as possible. Do not submit to any of her requests. Turn off the main switch when you leave so there’s no power. Yeah, you’re being mean but if it’s the only way to get her out then so be it!


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