I allowed a “friend” to come and live with me some time ago. She had a boyfriend too, who was a really wonderful guy. She seemed like a nice person, caring and helped a lot around the house. She’s divorced and has full custody of her four kids, with a liberal visitation schedule, so when they first came, the kids were with her ex. Soon, she indicated that her ex was making trouble and I said, well, if the kids need to come, “Ok”. Mind you, I’m a single mother with four kids of my own to support. I’m barely making my ends meet. Helping them with housing was kind of going out on a limb for me. I’m in a three bedroom house with my four kids, renting and I’m the only one on the lease. I’m allowed for one small dog: our beloved 5lb Maltese.
Well, it was tense with the kids. She would be cooking homemade meals every night and had dinner ready for me coming home from work, but neglected her youngest children. My stuff would disappear, because those kids got into things or moved them. She spent practically her entire allotment of food stamps filling my fridge. Ok, but I have money for food too. I said she needed to save that for getting a place and feeding her kids. Her boyfriend and her did make some tracks to find work, but not approaching it every day. The boyfriend did help around the house and they both helped with my kids too. So, I trusted them around the kids.
Well, about 10 days ago, I left the house early for work out of town. They agreed to see that the kids got the bus to school. She texts me in the afternoon that she’s left for a few days for a “family emergency”. Come to find out, from my kids, that she packed up her bag early that morning. The boyfriend is crying and begging her not to go. She left with a guy, nicely dressed, driving a nice car. Then the boyfriend walks off down the street, BOTH of them leaving my kids on their own before the bus came. Later I discover the boyfriend stole my second cell phone, which I had in the house strictly for the kids to use in emergencies.
I didn’t discover this until the next day and when I called it, he answered. He hangs up as soon he knows it’s me and won’t answer it again. I texted the phone a couple of times to say “bring my phone back”. But he won’t respond at all, accept to text and ask me if I knew where she was. I text her and tell her he stole my phone and what was her “family emergency”? She won’t respond and by this time, I’m pretty pissed off. So, I text her saying she needs to come and get her stuff! She then tells me she has 30 days, by law, before I can kick her out or get rid of her stuff. I said how about charges for theft and child endangerment? Well, she insists that she stayed to see the kids off on the bus. I told her I believe my kids! Later found some evidence to support the kids version and that they both left my kids on their own.
I don’t hear anything more until the following week, when she texts me to say “I need you to text and officially notify me that I’m not welcome in the home”. HUH??? Then today, they stop by, while I’m NOT home and take some of their stuff that I had placed on the front porch. I think they knew I wouldn’t be home and maybe thought they could get into my house too. Not sure. I text her and ask when she plans to come and get the rest of her stuff. Also, when will you return my phone and do you intend to pay me back the money I spent on your phone bill? She texts back she will come with a sheriff to officially prove that I’m throwing her out! PAAAALEASE!
Well, anyway, she’s making ME out to be the bad guy here. I have done nothing but give them housing, rent free, for over a month! At one point, they came back from going out of town to get some stuff at 3am with two, HUGE mastiff dogs! Did they text me or call to ask if that was ok to bring them? NOT!! They don’t communicate much and what she does tell seems to be a complete fabrication. Then they run off leaving my kids alone and stealing my stuff! And I’M the bad guy for kicking them out??
What do you learned folks think on answers? Am I wrong to make them get their crap and not let them back into my house? Do I have to give them this supposed 30 days notice or keep their things for 30 days? I’m in Virginia and she’s claiming this is state code. Do house guests have “squatter’s rights” here? I’m thinking I’m right, but want to protect myself from legal action. What do you think?