How can I legally evict my ex-boyfriend out of my apartment?

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How can I legally evict my ex-boyfriend out of my apartment?

My ex-boyfriend and I broke up and will not leave my apartment. I am the on-site manager so I can’t get up and leave. How can I get him out. He does not receive any mail there, he receives all his mail to his mother’s house. Doesn’t pay any rent or utilities.

Asked on June 4, 2012 under Real Estate Law, California

Answers:

M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 11 years ago | Contributor

Since your ex-boyfriend has not paid you rent (or any form of rent such as food, utilities, etc), then he is not a tenant. However, he is a "licensee"; this is someone who was invited to stay on the premises with the legal occupant's permission. Now that you have revoked your permission, he is subject to removal in the same way in which a tenant would be, that is by eviction. You now need to deliver to your ex a written notice to vacate (depending on how long that he has lived there it may be for 30 or 60 days). If he does not leave by the specified date, you can then file an "unlawful detainer action" (i.e. eviction lawsuit). Once the court issues you a writ of possession he will then be ordered to vacate the premises. If he doesn't, then the sheriff can remove him for you.

In the meantime, don't be tempted to take any "self-help" measures such as changing the locks, etc. If you do you could find yourself on the wrong end of a lawsuit. Right now you should contact a tenant's right organization or real estate attorney that specializes in landlord-tenant cases. They can best advise you of the correct procedure to go about all of this. You can also contact the local court to see if they have a pamphlet/website that gives this information.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

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