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View Full Version : Evicting a non paying person vacant house


Jwinn Thomas
Oct 20, 2009, 04:15 PM
I have a vacant house that I let someone stay in temporarily. The house has no utilities. I've asked the person to vacate on several occasions. Unknowned to me this person has started receiving mail there. I think they have also acquired or at least applied for food assistance using that address. How do I get them out? What are my options? This has been going on since early 2009.

twinkiedooter
Oct 20, 2009, 04:26 PM
You will have to go through the regular steps for an eviction and hearing before a Judge to legally evict this person - paying or nonpaying.

ballengerb1
Oct 20, 2009, 04:38 PM
If you mean no running water, plumbing or electric you could also have the health department declare it unfit for habitation.

ScottGem
Oct 20, 2009, 05:11 PM
If you mean no running water, plumbing or electric you could also have the health department declare it unfit for habitation.

I would not recommend this. You could get in trouble for allowing them to live in substandard housing. Better to just evict them.

ballengerb1
Oct 20, 2009, 06:15 PM
Since many if not most actual "tenants" pay for their untilities it could be argued that the "tenant" did not have the utilities turned on but you may have a point.

ScottGem
Oct 20, 2009, 06:47 PM
Since many if not most actual "tenants" pay for their untilities it could be argued that the "tenant" did not have the utilities turned on but you may have a point.

You also have a point, but when the OP said the house had no utilities I took that to mean they weren't connected, not that they weren't turned on.

ballengerb1
Oct 20, 2009, 06:55 PM
Seems like Jwinn isn't here anymore but we sure are. Jwinn you coming back anytime soon? LOL My guess or read on his comment is that all homes have utilities running to them but they were shut off since it was vacant. Would not seem to make sens to cut them just because a home went vacant.

ScottGem
Oct 21, 2009, 09:35 AM
Or it could be new construction where the utilities were never connected. Or it could be some cabin in the woods. :) we'll never know until the OP tells us.