Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Missouri

i let a guy move in with mer after he was kicked out of his old apartment where he was living with friends... he is driving me insain and useing my shit and not paying for anything but putting gas in my car which he is driveing to his job and buying food every now and again he paid all of one months rent when i couldnt and that was in april... since then he hasnt paid a cent for rent or utilites he drinks my soad and wastes a shit ton of it and uses other things of mine as well without asking or telling me he has used it all.... i live in Missouri and he has recieved mail here before... what do i do?


Asked on 6/04/11, 8:01 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Anthony Smith LawSmith

It sound slike you need to initiate an unlawful detainer suit, or hire someone to persuade him to leave. i don't mean hire goons to righ him up. You might hiore an atotnrey to wirte to thimto tell hom that he has top get otu by acertian date, or he will incur costs as to rentl utitlites food, etc. The unlawful detainer means that alhtough you may have allowed womeone to staty int eh past, they ahve refused to vacate when you tld them it wa sitme to go. You get the right to have the sheriff''s deputies put their stuff out. You may not get any money judgment for nayting tha toccurred beofre you go to court, unless you can show damages. You might get your court costs refunded by the defendant and for damages for anytime they stay after the judge tells them it is time to go.

If you hire an attorney to write to the person and tell them they must leave by date X or they will owe rent and utitltiesof $X, you might have th eoption of bringing a rent and possession case to collect the money and get an Order for the defendant to vacate if they don't pay the entire judgment there in court. If he pays it all there in front of the judge, you may be stuck wiht him fo ranother month. But, you will hae been paid.

It is never easy to sue someon you now or once considered a friend. that is why the letter form the lawyer option may be the gnetly way to go.Perhaps the letter will get his attention and show that you are serious. You might not ever have to sue. but,. if he is stil there these two week since you posted your inquiry here, it is clear what you are doing now is not working.

Good luck

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Answered on 6/20/11, 4:59 pm


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