My neice was staying in my home "for a short peiod of time" while im away on buisness. When I come home she moved all her belingings in my home, run up the gas and electric to $1000.00 and they shut it off for non payment which she was responsible for. Now she is not staying there but refuses to remove her belongings. Can I change my locks legally making her stay out till she contacts me for her belongings? She is coming to my home with no gas and electric everyday to change her clothing! What can I do? Please HELP!!!!! --74.132.xxx.xxx

Did you charge her rent? If it was a family favor, I would change my locks and give her a firm talking to! She would not treat me or my belongings like that. Allow her to get her stuff while you are there. --216.49.xxx.xxx

If not...you will be the once again poster child for the long time, many again reasons why many other posters on this site tell to "never rent to family or friends". --70.109.xx.xx

Do you own or rent your house? --64.151.xx.xxx

I own the house. There was no written agreement and she is a 29 yr old woman! she keeps threatening the police on me if i change the locks. I just want her to get her stufff out! this was a stupid decision on my part and the agreement was to help her. Just pay the utilities and she failed to do so. Now i have to stay at my son's house till i can aford to get my utilities paid --74.132.xxx.xxx

call her bluff! If the cops show up, tell them she can come and get her stuff right then, be the boss, applesauce! Good luck. --165.139.xxx.xxx

i would start eviction if she doesnt get her stuff in a week.tell her u will.tell her if she is evicted it may prevent her getting an apt for years.NEVER rent to family or friends.see atty if u havent evicted before.tell her u can get a couple of guys and a truck for her if she wants.u can get a small van and a couple of husky guys for 100 or so for the move.some guys advertise here for "man with van". --208.58.x.xx

I'd rent an enclosed U-Haul trailer and transfer her "things" into the trailer and padlock the trailer doors. Chain the trailer to a tree so you control its location. Meanwhile change your locks and secure your home. Post a written notice on your door to your former "house sitter" that her term of emplyment has ended and that her left behind belongings are secure and to contact you at the number posted to arrange for pick-up. Photograph the posted notice along with a time date stamp as proof of due care and accessability to her possessions. (you may include a date by which you will no longer store her belonings) --67.191.x.xx

Were the utility bills in her name? Not sure about KY, but here in MA you would probably run into more trouble trying to kick her out if she could prove that she was a resident there, as in had bills in her name or was officially receiving her mail at that location.. If that is the case, I`d find out from my local law enforcement how to deal with it. Good luck! --71.123.xx.xxx

I'd change the locks. Are you prepared to guard the house against breakins? --68.91.xx.xx

--199.64.x.xxx

The bills are all in my name. Nothing ties her to the house but her belongings. She's pushing everyone over the edge. I'm ready to change the locks and post a note on the door giving her a chance to contact me to get her belongings out in resonable timing! Thanks to everyone's input!!!! --74.132.xxx.xxx

Angel, change the locks and take photos of the windows and door, and the note inside the door window that says please call xxx-xxx-xxxx for information about this property, and a no trespassing sign on the kitchen table in the napkin holder. You could have a friend's phone be the one and ask him to say it is in foreclosure to scare the rocks out of her pockets, that is what I would do, this way if she breaks and enters without an agreement she has no business going in there. --99.147.xx.xxx

How long was she there to run up a large heat bill and be turned off for non-payment? --69.243.xxx.xx