[mcreppel]

I let a lady stay with me nov 27th she is not paying any bills. I moved my youngest son into my oldest sons room so that she would have somewhere to stay. She has given me no money and drinks every single night to where she gets into it with me and my kids. She is demanding things of my house and leaving notes stating close the door turn the TV off when I go to bed. I told her to leave last night because she said some really cruel things to me and my son. She said she needed a month I told her to be out by this weekend. I opened my house to her so she could get back on her feet but has taken advantage of me and my family. She lets the dogs piss in the house and tells me she will watch them but then gets drunk and says they are not her responsibility even told me that she was not leaving. I live in tn and want her out. Can I place her belongings out front and change the locks on my doors. I have even found out she has been going into my room when I am not at home. Do I have the right legally to make her leave by the end of the week?

[smoothy]

There is a line between a visitor and someone that establishes a residency. That can happen in a surprisingly short period.

Also important because once that threshold is crossed you have to legally evict them... which includes properly served notice etc.

I would Tie the dog up in the back yard... I would turn the TV up as loud and for as long as it didn't disturb your children. I would do everything that she dislikes to get her to leave... Pending you giving her the notice. But be careful about putting property out until you do.

You may also want to talk with your local police dept about her being drunk constantly and causing trouble in your residence around your children. You might be able to get the police to solve the problem even sooner.

You have to be careful what you do as she may be wise about scamming people, and know how far she can push the limits under the law... you may not have been the first victim.

Hopefully someone familiar with the intricacys of Tennesees laws can indicate if she is a guest or legal tenant after a month.

GO to home depot and get a cheap set of entry locks and put them on your and your child's bedroom doors even IF you end up having to go through an eviction process.

[adthern]

If you are feeling hurt, threatened or abused you may be able to get a temporary restraining order and have the police remove her. It sounds mostly verbal, but that can quickly change.

[joypulv]

You seem like you might be skipping over some arrangement you made whereby she lets the dogs in and out (and anything else?). That can make you a landlord, even if no money changes hand, so be careful if she sobers up enough to take you to court. I agree about not closing doors and whatever she doesn't like and an order to leave, and hope that is enough. You may need a lawyer to help you into the realm of what is a guest, a lodger, or a tenant according to your particular state law. You can try your state.gov online.