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    Britta28's Avatar
    Britta28 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Dec 2, 2007, 01:48 PM
    Major Roommate Issue!
    Okay, I need some advice in a really big way. I live in Arizona and I rent a house. My name is on the lease. I had a roommate move in on October 1, 2007. (Yes, without the consent of the landlord.) For the past two months he has been living here not paying any utilities, never making rent on time (causing me to be late dropping off the rent check), and generally just being a bad person. He has stolen money from my bedroom, taken my car in the middle of the night without asking, never cleans, let's his dog go the bathroom all over the yard and never cleans it. I asked him to move out by the 16th of December because he paid rent up until that day. He is refusing to leave before the end of the month, and refusing to pay the other half of Decembers rent. Is it legal for me to kick him out with less than a 30 day notice? Does anyone have any suggestions? I can't live with a thief and a liar for much longer. I don't trust him. All I have with him is a verbal agreement.
    shygrneyzs's Avatar
    shygrneyzs Posts: 5,017, Reputation: 936
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    #2

    Dec 2, 2007, 01:51 PM
    Well, you cannot go to the landlord about this - he (or she) would kick you both out. But since your roommate is not on the lease, why can't you simply change the locks on the door when he leaves? To get his things, he can come back, but make sure you have witnesses there, in case he comes back to say you took something of his.

    Now you can also call your local sheriff's department and ask what they would recommend.
    ScottGem's Avatar
    ScottGem Posts: 64,966, Reputation: 6056
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    #3

    Dec 2, 2007, 02:20 PM
    No its not. A verbal agreement is still binding. He can prove he has paid rent therefore he is a tenant and has to be evicted as a tenant. You need to check the eviction rules for your locality. You cannot change the locks, that would get you in trouble.

    Contact your local courts, not the sheriff's office.

    There is one other possibility. If he has stolen from you then report it. If you get him arrested you may be able to get a restraining order against him.
    JudyKayTee's Avatar
    JudyKayTee Posts: 46,503, Reputation: 4600
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    #4

    Dec 2, 2007, 02:54 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by shygrneyzs
    Well, you cannot go to the landlord about this - he (or she) would kick you both out. But since your roommate is not on the lease, why can't you simply change the locks on the door when he leaves? To get his things, he can come back, but make sure you have witnesses there, in case he comes back to say you took something of his.

    Now you can also call your local sheriff's department and ask what they would recommend.

    You absolutely cannot lock your roommate out - absolutely not. You need to start an eviction proceeding in accordance with your State's laws.
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