friend won't get her stuff out?

just wondering how you would handle this... I had a longtime friend go through a divorce. I offered her a place to stay (a cute little apartment on our property) until she got back on her feet and decided where she wanted to go. She moved some stuff in, but never even really stayed there. Basically, I became a (free) storage unit, while she moved in with a new boyfriend.

I told her months ago that if she wasn't going to use it, I could really use the rental income and she needed to get her stuff out of there so I could fix it up and advertise it for rent. It seems like another month goes by, and very little progress gets made. I was planning on having it rented by September 1.

I am on the verge of getting a storage unit, putting the rest of her stuff in it, and giving her the key - and the bill. She knows I need the place emptied and I need to rent it ASAP. I feel like I tried to do something to help her out, but now I'm just being taken advantage of.

I don't want to lose a friend, but I'm getting pretty fed up with this. How would you handle it?

Nashvegas2009-11-03T08:20:20Z

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Put your foot down & tell her to come & get her things immediately. Give her 2 weeks. If she's a no-show, put her things to the curb and call her & let her know you mean business.

C C2009-11-03T08:30:54Z

Put it in writing that she has so many days to come get her belongings and anything left there after that date is being donated to good will or another organization. If you put the stuff in storage then you would be responsible for the bill not her. You cannot put things in another persons name. If she has not gotten her things by now she wouldn't pay the storage fees either and you would be liable for the bill. Oh also have the copy of the letter notarized and send it to her certified mail requiring a signature to make sure she gets it if this goes to court you would have proof of contact and you would have your intentions clearly stated. You have a right to your own property.

Anonymous2009-11-03T08:58:20Z

Give her three written notices over a period of three months. The first one sets a date for removing her stuff, the second one extends the date, and the third one tells her that the date will not be extended again and the apartment will be emptied with or without her there. You basically have to evict her in the same way that you would evict a tenant.

?2009-11-03T08:21:38Z

I like your idea. You have bent over backwards to help her, yet she is taking advantage of your kindness. I'd implement your plan right away. Also, I'd change your own house lock plus the future rental unit, just in case she might have made a copy of both of them. It's always good to be safe than sorry later.

JENNIFER M2009-11-03T08:20:35Z

Set a date and tell her that on that date the contents of YOUR (meaning you not her) will be at the curb for garbage pick up. You are not her nanny and you have given her plenty of time to get the stuff. If she doesnt care enough about it to pick it up then she cant complain when you throw it out. (Oh and you may want to record the conversation(s) in case she tries to sue you).

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