Evicting non paying guests.

Cbar

Hello all, I’m looking for some sound advice, about a year and a half ago I (along with my partner) purchased a beautiful cottage set in an idyllic location with the intention of spending the next few years doing the place up. However we got a wonderful surprise, just after the purchase she became pregnant, so we changed our plans and decided that although we would have a horrible commute, we would rather bring our son up there, so the new plan was to sell my house and use the money to do the cottage up in one foul swoop and move in. We have been trying to sell my house ever since.
About two months ago some friends of ours suddenly appeared on our doorstep, we had not seen them for about two years as they had sold up and moved to Spain to start a new life; things apparently had not gone well. They had no money and no place to stay and asked if it was possible to stay with us for two to three weeks until they got themselves back on there feet. As this would of meant four adults and two children staying in a small house and not being the sort of person to turn down a friend in need, we suggested that they stayed at the cottage for the two or three weeks they needed; Granted not the best conditions in the world but perfectly adequate.
They have now been in there for two months, at first all was well and I was not overly concerned that things where dragging on, I thought at the time that the two or three weeks they suggested was a little optimistic. However in the last three weeks some terrible things have happened and our so called friends have let us down very badly. This was going to be our dream home and a wonderful place to bring up our son and although I still think I could put things right, my partner is devastated. I went to see them this weekend to explain our concerns and that I now needed them to leave and even though they don’t deserve it offered them three weeks (for the sake of their three year old) to make whatever arrangements they needed. I now believe that they will not go, all the bills are paid by me and I’ve never asked them for a penny, I’ve actually given them money, what can I do if they continue this abuse of our good nature? Please no silly responses we, are law abiding people.

robpw2

hae you told them how you feel i think you need to be honest

terryw

Cbar wrote: »

Hello all, I’m looking for some sound advice, about a year and a half ago I (along with my partner) purchased a beautiful cottage set in an idyllic location with the intention of spending the next few years doing the place up. However we got a wonderful surprise, just after the purchase she became pregnant, so we changed our plans and decided that although we would have a horrible commute, we would rather bring our son up there, so the new plan was to sell my house and use the money to do the cottage up in one foul swoop and move in. We have been trying to sell my house ever since.
About two months ago some friends of ours suddenly appeared on our doorstep, we had not seen them for about two years as they had sold up and moved to Spain to start a new life; things apparently had not gone well. They had no money and no place to stay and asked if it was possible to stay with us for two to three weeks until they got themselves back on there feet. As this would of meant four adults and two children staying in a small house and not being the sort of person to turn down a friend in need, we suggested that they stayed at the cottage for the two or three weeks they needed; Granted not the best conditions in the world but perfectly adequate.
They have now been in there for two months, at first all was well and I was not overly concerned that things where dragging on, I thought at the time that the two or three weeks they suggested was a little optimistic. However in the last three weeks some terrible things have happened and our so called friends have let us down very badly. This was going to be our dream home and a wonderful place to bring up our son and although I still think I could put things right, my partner is devastated. I went to see them this weekend to explain our concerns and that I now needed them to leave and even though they don’t deserve it offered them three weeks (for the sake of their three year old) to make whatever arrangements they needed. I now believe that they will not go, all the bills are paid by me and I’ve never asked them for a penny, I’ve actually given them money, what can I do if they continue this abuse of our good nature? Please no silly responses we, are law abiding people.

What bills have you paid? How much money have you given them? Did they agree to pay you any rent?

Apart from any answers that you receive here, I really think you need a solicitor here. Many solicitors offer thirty minutes free.

terryw

LillyJ

What have they done to let you down so badly? I feel very sorry for you as it is clearly your good nature that has been taken advantage of here.

Cbar

robpw2 wrote: »

hae you told them how you feel i think you need to be honest

I went to see them this weekend to explain our concerns.

Cbar

terryw wrote: »

What bills have you paid?

All bills.

terryw wrote: »

How much money have you given them?

Not alot.

terryw wrote: »

Did they agree to pay you any rent?

I’ve never asked them for a penny, I was just happy to help.

terryw wrote: »

Apart from any answers that you receive here, I really think you need a solicitor here. Many solicitors offer thirty minutes free.

terryw

Paying two mortgages my cash is short; I will need that free advice.

liz545

Cbar wrote: »

I went to see them this weekend to explain our concerns.

What's their take on the situation? Maybe you just need to explain to them that you can't afford to keep paying two mortgages, so you'll be selling the property, and hopefully that should galvanise them into action!

Cbar

LillyJ wrote: »

What have they done to let you down so badly? I feel very sorry for you as it is clearly your good nature that has been taken advantage of here.

In a number of different ways they have damaged my property and reputation, at the risk of sounding like a snob; it’s like Shameless in the High Peak.

LillyJ

Cbar wrote: »

In a number of different ways they have damaged my property and reputation, at the risk of sounding like a snob; it’s like Shameless in the High Peak.

It sounds like you definately need a solicitor. How people can throw kindness in the face of those who give it to them is beyond me.

Cbar

liz545 wrote: »

What's their take on the situation?

They just said that they can’t see how they’ve let us down, they seam oblivious to there actions.

liz545 wrote: »

Maybe you just need to explain to them that you can't afford to keep paying two mortgages, so you'll be selling the property, and hopefully that should galvanise them into action!

They know I can, I have been for some time

Voyager2002

Getting them out is likely to be fairly straightforward, but a solicitor would ensure that you don't make any mistakes with the process that could prove horribly expensive later. However, it might be worth calling the Shelter advice line and asking whether they can tell you what to do, or at least point you to a good solicitor in your area. And check your home insurance: many such policies include legal cover, so you might not have to pay your costs anyway.

Perhaps your biggest worry should be any more damage that these people might do before you get rid of them. Be careful to try to avoid anything that they might take as a provocation to (further) vandalism. Of course, if the damage they have already done is deliberate, and you have reason that they might do more, you could ask the police to intervene: criminal damage is an offence, and the police might take action to prevent such an offence being committed.