Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Rhode Island

Self Help Eviction

I inherited property in RI and before

my parent passed I agreed to let his

wife of only a few days move in the

house for one year. She should have

moved out a few weeks ago and in

fact has owned her own home for

over a month. She claims she has

too much to do in her new house and

is very vague about when she will

leave mine. She does not pay any

rent to me. Her only obligation was

to pay the property taxes and

insurance policy for the year...which

has already passed. There was never

a month to month rent payment

made to me. What is the worst that

could happen to me if I just changed

the locks? Is what ever fines I could

face cheaper than the long process of

evicting someone? Does it help me at

all that she already has a place to live

and has minimal belongings in my

house at this time? I am supposed

to be moving into this house and she

has already cost me an additional

months rent.


Asked on 6/13/09, 5:09 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Joseph Murray Joseph M. Murray, Esq.

Re: Self Help Eviction

Retain an attorney to assist you with the proper eviction process as the consequences of not doing so (which might be both criminal and civil) could be costly and you might still be required to evict her. Good Luck!

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Answered on 6/13/09, 5:28 pm
Christopher Vaughn-Martel Charles River Law Partners, LLC

Re: Self Help Eviction

Attorney Murray is correct. The consequences of engaging in self-help eviction may be both criminal and civil, and will almost certainly result in you having to pay her money damages AND still evicting her through the legal process, costing you additional money and time.

You should retain an attorney and evict her properly.

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Answered on 6/14/09, 10:26 am


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