Anonymous wrote:Op here,

Mary resisted moving. I talked to Roy, who tried to coax her out and then he recommended that I have her removed by police. I had already filed an official eviction notice. I told her that I would call the police, she is still requesting money. We compromised and have all the details on writing. She will live with her friend and I gave her $300.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here,

Mary resisted moving. I talked to Roy, who tried to coax her out and then he recommended that I have her removed by police. I had already filed an official eviction notice. I told her that I would call the police, she is still requesting money. We compromised and have all the details on writing. She will live with her friend and I gave her $300.

What's the "compromise?" That you gave her $300? I hope you didn't give her anything else. What's in writing?
I feel for that friend of hers...

Anonymous wrote:Op here,

Mary resisted moving. I talked to Roy, who tried to coax her out and then he recommended that I have her removed by police. I had already filed an official eviction notice. I told her that I would call the police, she is still requesting money. We compromised and have all the details on writing. She will live with her friend and I gave her $300.

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to go against the grain here and say it's Larla's house, not Mary's, and Larla should feel free to do what she wants with it. I think it's selfish for Mary to expect to continue staying there, rent free. That's not how life works. Maybe I know too many Mary-types, but I don't have a lot of sympathy.

The update reinforces my feelings.

Anonymous wrote:

I spoke to Mary, she said that her plan is to stay with a friend for a while until she can "get on her feet"

Anonymous wrote:OP, I've been following this casually since the beginning so may have missed this. I do think you are perfectly in your rights, morally and legally, to evict your deadbeat cousin. If you calculated the value of her education and many years living rent free, she has benefited greatly from her mother's generosity. If you choose to let her stay in the house while she gets on her feet, be very careful. Draw up a lease. If she pays you anything, even a modest amount to cover utilities without a written agreement, your cashing her check constitutes a legal agreement. I am a landlord in DC, and my lawyer advised me never to cash a check for someone not on a lease for any amount. It gets very tricky to evict her if you have this kind of agreement. Even if you are trying to help her out for a short time, consult a lawyer to make sure she isn't exploiting the system.

This is great advice PP, Larla... listen to this poster!
I've heard that DC is especially lenient when it comes to squatters rights too.
So what happened?? Has Mary left? Please don't let her guilt you, that is your house now & you're entitled to do as you wish.

On a side note... who knew Mary had friends?

Are you sure she's not an imaginary friend, like Mr. Snuffulupougus?

I spoke to Mary, she said that her plan is to stay with a friend for a while until she can "get on her feet"

Anonymous wrote:OP, I've been following this casually since the beginning so may have missed this. I do think you are perfectly in your rights, morally and legally, to evict your deadbeat cousin. If you calculated the value of her education and many years living rent free, she has benefited greatly from her mother's generosity. If you choose to let her stay in the house while she gets on her feet, be very careful. Draw up a lease. If she pays you anything, even a modest amount to cover utilities without a written agreement, your cashing her check constitutes a legal agreement. I am a landlord in DC, and my lawyer advised me never to cash a check for someone not on a lease for any amount. It gets very tricky to evict her if you have this kind of agreement. Even if you are trying to help her out for a short time, consult a lawyer to make sure she isn't exploiting the system.