How to Kick a Roomate Out
She's a slob. He parties non-stop. She doesn't pay the rent. His girlfriend lives with you, though you know she's never going to pitch-in on the bills or stop taking over the TV. Eventually, there comes a time when you must kick out that roommate or free-loader before they drive you completely nuts.
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Instructions
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Read your lease. Every state and every lease details different rules for evicting a roommate. Be sure that you know going in what the legal ramifications of kicking your roommate out could be. There are things you legally can and cannot do to rid yourself of a bad roommate. Know exactly what the rules are so that you don't create a mess that gets you in hot water.
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Talk to your landlord. Typically, having your landlord in your corner will smooth the transition and keep the kicked-out roommate from causing more trouble.
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Get help. If your landlord or property manager is unwilling to help you, or worse yet, is uninformed, look up your local fair housing council and take your lease to the experts. If you think a storm may be brewing, this is probably the best thing you can do to protect yourself and make sure that you don't end up in court or with an eviction notice haunting your credit.
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Confront them. Sit down in neutral territory at a time when the roommate will be most receptive. For example, if they are drunk, have friends over, and have just done something that irks you, don't take this as an opportunity to unleash. Bide your time and wait until all parties are clear-headed. Write down your complaints if you have to, but confront them in person. Avoid low-blows and nit-picking, even if they don't. State your case, and allow them to respond.
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Expect resistance. You are, after all, kicking them out. The worse the roommate, the more static you're going to get. If you have other roommates and you are all kicking out this one roommate, try to avoid ganging up on this person. The jilted roommate may cause a scene, but don't react. They'll be out of your life soon enough.
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Be firm. After the emotions subside, be sure that they know that you're serious and that you've already spoken to the landlord and the fair hosing council so that there is nothing for them to do except pack up their things and go. They might choose to retaliate. Just document it and continue helping them on their merry way.
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Move if you have to. Know your rights before you do this. Know the consequences so that you handle the situation in a way that doesn't break any laws or hurt you financially. If they won't get out of your life, just get as far out of theirs as fast as possible. Try living solo from now on.
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