I invited a family to stay with me for awhile as they have 4 children and had no place to go. It has been a month now and I have asked them to leave as I want my house to myself. They have informed me the have rights as "tenant's at will" and I will have to give them 28 days notice and file for eviction. They were invited as guests. At no time did we establish a landlord-tenant relationship. They have not given me any money. Are they correct and I have to go through all that? Or can I just change the locks tomorrow when they are out and put their stuff at the end of the driveway? What are my rights and what are the legal ramifications of just changing the locks and putting their stuff outside?
Please help!

Sorry, they are correct. They have established residency and need to be formally evicted. Since there is no rental paid, you can't give them a pay or quit notice. So give them written notice today that they have to be out by 3/1. If they haven't left by then, you will need to go to court for an eviction order.

And if you try changing the locks they can sue you for an unlawful eviction

It says you are a computer expert by your name. Where did you get your info from? Is this state specific advice?

It says you are a computer expert by your name. Where did you get your info from? Is this state specific advice?


Some of us are trained in the legal profession; others have work experience; others have excellent research skills.

More "State specific advice" can't be given until you tell us the name of the State. But in ANY State these people have to be evicted according to the laws of the State and you can't lock them out nor can you simply pack up their belongings and put them in your driveway.

Scott is correct.

If you search through this forum, you will find several similar questions. All with the same answer. State laws may differ on the length of time or criteria it takes to establish residency, but all states are generally pretty liberal on what constitutes a resident.

And changing the locks would be illegal in any state.

Yes I'm listed as a Computer Expert, that doesn't mean I don't have other areas of experience.