Getting a Roommate Evicted Now

[skitripper]

My significant other and I took in a roommate several months ago to help pay our mortgage bills. I have a cat who has feline leukemia and is not supposed to go outdoors. This roommate repeatedly has left the door open when she goes outside and we have repremanded her many times. Three days ago, she left it open again, and the cat got out. We have not been able to find her since. We have knocked on doors, talked to people, posted signs with her picture and a reward, checked in shelters and animal control, with no sign of my precious cat. We want this roommate to leave now, as we both blame her for the negligence of leaving the door open after repeated warnings. Can we legally make her leave? We have no written contract with her, just a month by month payment she makes to us. We don't want to wait until her month is up before having her leave. We want her out as soon as it is legally possible to say "good riddance." How do we do this?

[expertlaw]

Landlord-tenant laws vary by state. Normally you would have to give at least one full rental period's notice to end a tenancy (and even then may have to go to court if the tenant fails to move). You may wish to consider trying to negotiate with your roommate for an earlier moveout date. A local lawyer can advise you of your rights under the laws of whatever state you are in.