I have been living with my boyfriend (now ex) for a year in an apartment that is in my name only. He does not pay rent (except an occasional contribution -- probably $800 total in the past year) and rarely helps with the utilities. He has been a horrible person to be with and I want him to leave.

Two of the utilities are in his name (phone & cable -- if that matters) and he claims that this proves he has established residency and therefore I cannot kick him out. (he is an unemployed wanna-be hollywood screenwriter and works occasionally as a script consultant but with no steady income)

He is abusive emotionally and a philandering pig. I can not be in the same place and have been living on my mother's couch and still paying the rent for the past 3 weeks-- as I am in a lease and would be sued if I didn't pay. I don't want to lose my home or ruin my credit, otherwise I would move. I emailed him a formal request that he must leave in 30 days.

I know he is looking for a place but at the same time is constantly begging me to give him another chance which leads me to believe is search efforts are all bullsh*t. I want him to stay with his brother until he gets situated but he refuses to do so.

What do I do??? He is not on the lease. He does not contribute to the rent. Do I really need to give him a formal 30-days? Does he have any rights? I want him to leave before I go insane.

Please help.