I am trying to sell my house and relocate to different area. A couple that I know came to me and asked if they could spend 1 night so they could find a place to live the next day so they did not have to sleep on the street. That was 6 weeks ago and I cannot get them to leave so I can finish packing and sell. Can I just set their belongings out while they are gone with their drug dealer? They stay gone for a couple of days at a time and return at all hours of the day or night. Last night it was 3:30 a.m. I don't have the money to file eviction and they have never paid me any money. What will happen if I just set their stuff out?

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Originally Posted by wis42gee

I am trying to sell my house and relocate to different area. A couple that I know came to me and asked if they could spend 1 night so they could find a place to live the next day so they did not have to sleep on the street. That was 6 weeks ago and I cannot get them to leave so I can finish packing and sell. Can I just set their belongings out while they are gone with their drug dealer? They stay gone for a couple of days at a time and return at all hours of the day or night. Last night it was 3:30 a.m. I don't have the money to file eviction and they have never paid me any money. What will happen if I just set their stuff out?

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What stae is this in?

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Originally Posted by wis42gee

I am trying to sell my house and relocate to different area. A couple that I know came to me and asked if they could spend 1 night so they could find a place to live the next day so they did not have to sleep on the street. That was 6 weeks ago and I cannot get them to leave so I can finish packing and sell. Can I just set their belongings out while they are gone with their drug dealer? They stay gone for a couple of days at a time and return at all hours of the day or night. Last night it was 3:30 a.m. I don't have the money to file eviction and they have never paid me any money. What will happen if I just set their stuff out?

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What state is this in?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wis42gee

I am trying to sell my house and relocate to different area. A couple that I know came to me and asked if they could spend 1 night so they could find a place to live the next day so they did not have to sleep on the street. That was 6 weeks ago and I cannot get them to leave so I can finish packing and sell. Can I just set their belongings out while they are gone with their drug dealer? They stay gone for a couple of days at a time and return at all hours of the day or night. Last night it was 3:30 a.m. I don't have the money to file eviction and they have never paid me any money. What will happen if I just set their stuff out?

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They have to be evicted according to the laws of your State.

If you set their stuff out, you are legally responsible for whatever happens to it. You are also liable to them if you evict them illegally.

Legally, they would have to be evicted according to the laws of your state. If you get them out through any other means (other than somehow convincing them to pack and leave on their own) it could be considered an unlawful eviction. It's a civil matter. They would have to sue you in small claims court. Typically there are penalties that can be charged to "landlords" in these instances, as well as you paying moving costs, loss of their belongings, etc. Whatever damages they could prove.

There are a variety of things that could strengthen their case against you... do they receive mail at your address? What "belongings" do they have there? I'm not recommending that you throw them out, but there may be things that could be done to expedite their leaving.

How heavy is their drug activity? Do you know where they hang out? I'm just wondering if you could tip off the police if you know when and where they're out buying or selling drugs... something like that.

You say you can't afford an eviction, but that's really your only totally legal, above board option. If they chose to pursue a case against you. It is considered a civil matter, not criminal anywhere that I know of.

If on the second or third night, you may have called the police and have them thrown out,

But after 6 weeks you are going to have to evict them.

You can sit their things out, but that allows them to sue you for a illegal eviction.

You really can't afford not to do an eviction