View Full Version : Need help getting a free loader out of my home.
ladyjemstar
Mar 19, 2011, 08:27 PM
I let a friend of mine move in with me back in December to help her and her kids out. My kids and hers were not getting along so I moved in with my cousin till she could find somewhere else. When I left the agreement was that she would pay the utility bills and keep them up which were in my name. There was no contract only the utility bills. She moved a man in in January I was informed by a officer that there was a lot of traffic coming in and out and that my house was being watch and if they busted them I could lose my home. I asked her to move out about a month ago and she got ugly with me. Then I found out that she had not been paying the bills at all. The only one that she paid was back in January. I paid them two months myself. Now I have a bunch of bills that are fixing to be cut off. I live in Mississippi and I am planning on going Monday and cutting the lights, water and gas off at my home as I said they are in my name and it is my credit that is taking a beating. How do I get this free loader and the man that was not suppose to be in my home out. I mean me and my kids need to be in this house not in my cousins.. Any imput would be helpful
joypulv
Mar 20, 2011, 05:57 AM
They have been there almost 4 months? Too late for simple trespassing/unwanted guest. I would call the police and ask for their help (it's not clear how involved they are already). Ordinarily you would have to go through an entire eviction, which goes by the laws of your state. But this is urgent and serious from the sound of it, and they could cause real damage if they feel as vindictive as you say. If the police say you have to evict them, start immediately and follow every letter of the law. If the people have threatened and intimidated you in any way, make that clear. If you need help with the laws of your state, Answer back.
ladyjemstar
Mar 20, 2011, 06:08 AM
Thank you and I am going to see what I can find out. Can I cut the utility off? I mean they are in my name and I can't pay them she has already ran up a 289.00 gas bill that is fixing to get cut off. I was thinking about cutting them all off Monday?
joypulv
Mar 20, 2011, 06:33 AM
You can't cut utilities off from a 'tenant' no matter what the money agreement was and how little they have paid, and a court will probably deem them to be tenants if they sue you. You can have it done, of course, no one is going to stop you, but it wouldn't be wise unless the police were to advise it, which they probably won't.
You allowed yourself to be extremely over kind in all this (I imagine intimidated, mostly) and need to take quick but legal steps, not the easy ones like shutting off utilities.
I suppose that if you have a local gas office and you go explain and they sympathize, maybe they would be willing to cut it off right away. But take all the other steps too.
joypulv
Mar 20, 2011, 06:34 AM
And by that I mean right away since you say they are threatening to.
ladyjemstar
Mar 20, 2011, 07:21 AM
So you mean that I am suppose to pay the utilities even if I am not staying there?? I can't do that I am on disability! Basically I am screwed either way you cut it is what you are saying right??
Fr_Chuck
Mar 20, 2011, 07:59 AM
Yes, welcome to be a landlord ( even unpaid) it is illegal to cut off the utilities, in fact if you did, they can sue YOU for damages. You agreed to allow them to stay, and then moved out, instead of evicting them,
So now you can give them 24 hour notice of an inspection and inspect the house, if you find anything illegal, you can call the police. Or ask the police to inspect it with you.
If you don't find anything illegal, you will have to give them a notice to move in writing, and then evict them if they don't.
Yes you are screwed either way at this point.
ladyjemstar
Mar 20, 2011, 08:12 AM
The gas is fixing to get cut off either way because of how high it is. Is there anyway that I can get the bills out of my name and transfer them to hers. My credit is getting hurt. I mean can't she be made to go and put the deposit down on the utilities.
ladyjemstar
Mar 20, 2011, 08:13 AM
I mean I have no control over that it is too far behind.
joypulv
Mar 20, 2011, 08:19 AM
No, you can't just put someone else's name on a bill, think about it.
STOP acting out of fear and acting passively.
Unless they aren't as bad as you say they are, TALK to the police again. You have once already, right? If the house is being watched, chances are it's drugs, so get them out now. Today is Sunday. You can talk to them today. Answer back (don't use comment, use the orange button) after you talk to them.
ladyjemstar
Mar 20, 2011, 08:48 AM
Yes in fact it was a officer that came to me and told me that I needed to do something there was a lot of traffic coming in there. I also told her in January that she had to start paying rent since she had moved her man in with her and he had a good job she has failed to do that. Someone said there was something called a three day eviction does anyone know anything about that? I am going to talk with a officer again today, then get the eviction papers to her tomorrow.
joypulv
Mar 20, 2011, 08:55 AM
GOOD JOB. Let us know what happens for reference. (And tell us then what state you are in.)
ladyjemstar
Mar 20, 2011, 09:16 AM
Will do but I will tell you I am in Mississippi.
richg1000
Jun 20, 2011, 09:07 AM
Hi - I'm producing an episode for a new national talk show that explores nightmare freeloading stories such as yours. If you or anyone you know is still having issues with an unwanted freeloader, and would like to discuss it in a safe and fair forum, please e-mail me at {E-mail removed}. Both you and your story will be handled with the utmost respect. Best, Rich