Hi, This is my first time using this site. I feel a bit trapped right now and not sure what my rights are. I live in Florida and I rent an apartment where I'm the sole lessee. I was in a bit of a tight spot financially and needed a room mate so a friend of mine moved in. He was in a tight spot financially as well and I knew he couldn't get approval from the leasing office to move in. Being the trusting person that I am I allowed him to move in without siging the lease and no formal paperwork. After three months things became intolerable. He has become unstable, threatening and volatile so I asked him to move out. He is refusing to move out. He has not paid me any rent or utilities (and has also racked up $120renting movies of explicit nature on my comcast bill with no intention of paying me back). I really just want him out. At this point I'm concerned he's going to get me in trouble financially or legally (he also brings things of an illegal nature into my home despite the fact that I've asked him repeatedly not to.) Any advice? I think I can file an eviction notice but how long will that take? Do I file it for non-payment (even though we have no written payment/lease paperwork)? What if he miraculously decides to pay me? Can I still make him leave? I feel threatened by this man on a number of different levels. Appreciate any insight.

I would make a point to have a talk with your local police about the issue without the other party knowing about it. That way, you can find out your rights as they see it. You should not have to feel under any threat in your own home. I don't know if the guy would retaliate against you or something later on or not. Will you have to associate with him in other ways such as at work or school?

Have you considered putting some money up to help entice him to move out? I know it would be costly to you, but if you consider it an expensive lesson learned, then it might be worth it.

At this point you may HAVE to get your landlord involved. OR simply start packing his belongings and tell him the landlord is on his way over with the authorities to ask him to leave.

For the comcast bill you can set it up to where he has to know your pass words to order anything. As for the illegal things he brings to your home, First talk to your landlord about changing the locks, then talk to the cops in your area tell them that your afraid of him and need a restraining then tell them about the illegal things he's bring in to your home, have him busted and while he's in jail pack his things and throw it out. The police can help you with it more and doing this may be a little unethical but you have to cover your own back. And the restraining order will just send him back to jail if he bothers you. Good luck...

I own my own home and currently live in that home. I needed help with my mortgage, so I let my sister and her boyfreind move in without a lease. They are default on rent and are costing me money instead of helping. They have damaged the home and refuse to follow house rules. I want them out! They have been here since October of 2007. How do I get them out?