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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Posts
    1

    Exclamation Lease Holder Evicting an Occupant

    My question involves an eviction in the "state" of: Washington D.C.

    I am the lease holder for an apartment and in good standing with the landlord. I have an occupant who is not on the lease, and with whom I have a verbal but no written agreement. The occupant has openly stated that he will no longer uphold the agreement, and move out 7 months earlier then our agreement. By doing so he puts me in a bad situation, where I will have to pay his share of the rent until I find a replacement. He openly refused to negotiate, saying, "You have nothing written, so you have nothing on me."

    He is planning on leaving at the end of the month, but I would like to evict him immediately. Firstly because I do not feel comfortable with him in my house or presence any longer. Secondly, so that the landlord can come in and repaint his room before I find a replacement (the landlord has kindly offered to do this). The landlord offered to change the locks on the door for me. He states that it is my right because I am the sole lease holder. I notified the occupant yesterday that he is no longer welcome to live here, and he must leave his keys. He did not. I was going to have the locks changed today, but I chickened out after reading on this website about how "self-help" methods of eviction are usually a bad idea.

    Can I change my locks? Assuming that I allow him in at reasonable times to pick up his belongings?
    Does he qualify as a tenant? And therefore have rights to my apartment?
    How can I get him out of my apartment as fast as possible?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Toledo, OH
    Posts
    16,307

    Default Re: Lease Holder Evicting an Occupant

    Can I change my locks?
    No. That's an illegal eviction, and can land you in hot water.

    Does he qualify as a tenant? And therefore have rights to my apartment?
    If he paid you rent, he is your tenant, and you'll have to evict him through the usual legal procedures IF he has violated provisions of the lease or has failed to pay rent. You can find more information here.

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