I solely own a home in New York city. I have a roommate that has no ownership interest in the house nor does he have a lease. He simply lives there on a handshake agreement that stipulated no specific time for him to stay. He has long been behind on rent and bills.

We recently had a very ugly altercation that is forcing me to evict him as soon as possible. Do I need to proceed with a formal eviction notice or can I just say "Get the hell out" and change the locks? If I do need to provide notice, is there a specific time I need to give him (I would like him out ASAP)? Please give me all the legal steps that I can go about it as well

Hello landlord:

He pays rent, even if sporadically. That makes him a tenant, and you'll have to evict him according to NY landlord/tenant law.

You can peruse the law right here in this forum at the top. I didn't, but I imagine that you'll have to give him 30 days written notice.

excon

While I agree with excon, I would take a different approach. Its true, that, if he can prove that he has paid rent, he can force an eviction. But he may not realize that.

I would tell him he has 2 weeks to move (if he asks for more time, give him no more than a month). If he refuses, then you can pursue more legal means.

I would agree, since he pays rent, (you said he was late)
He is on a verbal, and thus a month to month rental.
So officially you need to give him proper and legal notice, and evict him though the courts,

But saying get the... out, or be gone before I get home works for me.