I allowed a desperate friend to move into a room in a house I am renovating. I stupidly gave him a lease for a 1 bedroom unit so that he could turn on utilities, etc. and charged him room rent of $450 by verbal agreement. After a couple of months, he also moved and stored all the rest of his things in the living room of the house. The contractor was 3 months overdue and was not getting along with my friend. Long story short, my friend threw the contractor out. All renovation stopped. My friend took over the entire unit and has been living in the partially renovated unit for 8 months. It has the essentials: bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, living room. He has paid no rent at all since September. He paid $900 security and $450 for 2 months. I have given him a 30 day-notice to vacate and I plan to file for eviction this week. He seems to think that he can sue me. What is my liability, if any?

What is my liability, if any?Hello r:

Given what you've told us, none.

excon

I would think it's the other way around. You can evict him and sue for unpaid rent. Probably never be able to collect on the judgement though.

... He seems to think that he can sue me. What is my liability, if any?

Why don't you ask him?