How do you legally evict a roommate? While the answer depends on your specific situation, there are some general principles to keep in mind.
Although getting a roommate can be a great way to share the costs of renting a house or apartment, sometimes things just don’t work out. But similar to when a landlord wants to evict a tenant, you’ll want to make sure the law is on your side when considering evicting a roommate. A wrongful eviction may subject you to legal liability, which can be quite costly to resolve.
So how should you evict a roommate? Here are some general guidelines:
Need More Help?
In any roommate-eviction situation, you’ll want to be familiar with your state and local landlord/tenant laws. FindLaw has links to state-specific publications on landlord-tenant laws; we’ve also summarized some of the basics in our State Laws section (find them under “Property and Real Estate Laws,” listed under each state).
If you still have questions about how best to proceed with a roommate eviction, an experienced landlord/tenant lawyer in your area can help explain your legal options and find a solution for your housing issues.
Related Resources:
- Find an Attorney Near You (FindLaw’s Lawyer Directory)
- If Roommate Moves Out, Can You Keep Her Stuff? (FindLaw’s Law and Daily Life)
- Multiple Roommates? 5 Common Legal Problems (FindLaw’s Law and Daily Life)
- Ask a Question About Landlord/Tenant Law in Our Community Forum (FindLaw Answers)
- Sign Up for Our Free Legal Planning Newsletter (FindLaw’s Legal Heads-Up)
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