By nature, we humans are friendly. We smile and make friends with strangers. And there are even times that we treat and welcome them as our roommates. Of course, there are a lot of advantages when we have someone to share our home with. There will be fun and excitement every day. They can also be your life savior when at times you need them.
However, there are just some roommates that are a total opposite of what you have expected them to be. They might be rude, no manners, horrible, discourteous, inconsiderate, insulting or even worse. You even think and wonder how come you have welcomed them and stay with your roommate? Well, for some reasons, you will eventually learn their true color on the latter part of their stay. For some, having a roommate is a blessing. While other considered it as a nightmare!
Some of you here who have this kind of roommate might want to avoid or get rid of them. Well, it is now possible. In a legal way, of course. Here’s how:
Communication is the key
Communication is one of the very important factors that you should not miss to do. When communicating, it is a two-way process. For instance, you’re going to talk about a particular issue with your roommate, and he listens. Vice versa. Talking about the problem is one of the common solutions whenever a problem arises. Yes, you might feel awkward about it, but who cares? You both need to solve the problem immediately to avoid making it worse.
If you think that your roommate doesn’t have any plans to talk about the problem with you at all, then you might want to try initiating it first. You might not know, they are just shy to talk to your first. When you both communicate, you will understand what the problem really is and why it is a problem. Of course, if you both understand each other, there will be a harmony between the both of you.
Off-the-record roommates
There are just times that we sense something that is so off when it comes to our roommate. And later did we know that they are an off-the-record tenant (e.g. an inhabitant who has not signed a lease of agreement). With this matter, communication might be useful, but make sure that you include the landlord when you talk about the issue. This matter already involves the landlord, since he/she is the one who will decide who gets in and goes out. Of course, you have the right to know how come they are living with you when he/she is not a legal tenant of the house. You are just concern with your safety.
Generally, when this happens and you want to get rid of your roommate, you have to make sure that there will be a written statement declaring that the roommate arrangement has ended should suffice. If not, then at least, provide your roommate with a deadline for leaving, at least 15-3o days from the date of the notice. Just make sure that the roommate actually receives the document and understands what he/she is reading.
Settle the problem in court
When talks are already not useful, then seeing them in court might help. Usually, courts are the least one wants to do since it is already a hassle on the part of the complainant, and of course, for your roommate. But if there is a need to settle things once and for all, the court is what you need. You just want to hope that your roommate will take the hint and gracefully exit to avoid inconvenience on both parties.
Usually, the court staff will give you a date and time for an eviction hearing, and you must be prepared for the legal documents that you need to present to them. With that, the court will likely grant the petition, and your roommate will have no choice but to leave.
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