Submitted by SmokeAdministrative7 t3_zwg673 in vermont

So to make it as short as possible I am moving in with a friend of mine on the 1st the lease is signed and everything, problem being is that the current person in the room I'm taking is refusing to move out even though the current lease is almost up, I'm basically wondering if I have any options here or how I can go about this any help or advice is much appreciated thank you all

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Unique-Public-8594 t1_j1uenrl wrote

It is not the 1st yet. Wait and see.

Don’t harass them.

After the first, maybe the landlord/sublessor pay $30 to LegalShield to get an inexpensive lawyer to start eviction process? (Although LegalShield gets mixed reviews)

Also, r/legal might have some tips.

Is this a sublet?

Is it a legal sublet?

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charliedontplaydat t1_j1ufhl3 wrote

They don’t have to be out until the date that their lease is up. There is nothing you can do about this situation and tbh it’s way above your pay-grade as you’re a future tenant and not the owner of the rental. The owner needs to address this once the current renter’s lease has expired. Have you involved the landlord yet?

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Vermontess t1_j1ugdca wrote

The only option if they don’t leave is to evict them after the first. Only the landlord (or in some rare cases the primary leaseholder) can do this and it will take 2-6 months. Legal aid and other nonprofits don’t help landlords so it will cost 2-5k. Honestly, you should start looking for backup accommodations if you think they won’t leave.

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sicknutley t1_j1ukbfm wrote

Move in with them in the room, assert dominance, and use their toothbrush.

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BuddhaGoalie11 t1_j1uorfw wrote

You're on the lease, but they aren't? You have an unwanted houseguest. Act accordingly.

Change locks, issue edict; "2 days to vacate, or your shit will be on the sidewalk at 3pm xday"

End of issue.

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ChallengerShaker2014 t1_j1uqqrd wrote

If someone at one time was invited to stay, which they were, they have their stuff there even, they now have the rights of renters in VT.

Make your place an AirBnB and then when they don't pay their nightly hotel fee, you can have the cops make em leave. Odd how renting vs hotel situations compare.

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Meow_Meow_4_Life t1_j1uqtxx wrote

Can you legally do that? I have always wondered if you can move in with squatters on a place you own and just throw their shit out like I don't NEED this in MY place anymore. If they tried to assault you, could you call the police like its a domestic assault? Its such a head trip to me that people can literally take over your home you own.

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VTgrizz85 t1_j1ur76o wrote

If the person doesn't leave, the unfortunate reality is that you have no legal claim to the rental as you never officially took possession. It would be on the landlord to get them out.

You might have a claim against the landlord for failing to provide the product (apartment) in the contract (lease), but that would probably also have to go to court. You would most likely lose if you accept the deposit back.

Work on a backup plan as both could take months to resolve.

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VTgrizz85 t1_j1urxlq wrote

Sorry, squatter is probably the wrong term given it has an existing legal meaning. They're still legal tenants that have tenant's rights. The landlord would need to go through the proper eviction process.

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MultiGeometry t1_j1uu1ja wrote

Are they refusing to move out NOW? If their lease isn’t up, they have every right to remain there. Have they indicated that they do not plan on moving out on or before the 1st? That’s when you have a problem. If that’s the case your best course of action is finding a backup plan. A tenant who hasn’t moved in has no legal recourse. Don’t pay the landlord first month rent if you haven’t yet.

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VTtransplant t1_j1uxdq4 wrote

Apparently, they can be evicted in Winter: "NOTICE: A tenant can be evicted at any time of year, even in the winter, and even if the tenant has children or a disability, provided the tenant has been given a proper notice and legal process." When my in-laws evicted someone (1985) they had to go to court and the process took a couple months.

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username802 t1_j1uxi36 wrote

What reason do you have to believe the person won’t vacate on the 1st? If they’ve stated as much, it’s important for the landlord to know. Burlington has some of the most tenant-friendly rental laws in the US, which in this case could work against you. If the landlord has to evict this person, it could take a long time if they are being truly stubborn about it. Try to figure out a plan B and hope for the best. If you have a signed lease, you do have the right to be in the place when the lease starts, even if this other person didn’t leave yet.

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snuffy_tentpeg t1_j1uxwzs wrote

https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/civil/landlord-tenant

​

Edit: added tldr

You do not need a cause to evict under these circumstances:

  • There is no written rental agreement
  • The end date of a written rental agreement has passed
  • The person rents a room in your home and shares common living spaces (kitchen, living room, bathroom)
3

Hipko75 t1_j1uypy5 wrote

Haha had a similar situation years ago, i was trying to be proactive and asked them about moving stuff a few days before the end of the month and he was like “I’ve got time” I showed up on the 1st with all my shit and just started dragging my mattress in “his room” lol he got the message

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meinblown t1_j1v15la wrote

And if the current tenant decides to renew their lease, and keeps paying then, there is absolutely nothing you can do. And why would the landlord do anything when they already have a paying tenant?

0

TinyDickAndrewTate t1_j1v4b24 wrote

Welcome to Vermont. Squatters can do as they wish and the police are trying to prove a point to the state government, so they aggressively won't do shit.

Be exceedingly careful whom you let into your house, because right now the process of getting them out is completely busted.

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TinyDickAndrewTate t1_j1v4rda wrote

None of this applies in this circumstance, as the OP is not the property owner, and therefore lacks standing.

Also note, the process of eviction takes many months right now, as the court system is backlogged. Expect 90-180 days for results.

Source: literally just finished an eviction that started in April 2022.

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Laser-Nipples t1_j1v6j7c wrote

To be clear, the current tenant doesn't have to, and shouldn't be expected to move out until 11:59 PM December 31st.

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rdaigle2018 t1_j1v8tkn wrote

Cut your losses, look for another place. Bad vibes.

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joeconn4 t1_j1va2ut wrote

I feel like we need more info here to offer relevant advice... You say "the lease is signed", does that mean that you and your friend have signed the lease that starts on January 1? Or does it mean you friend has signed the lease and you've been invited to join your friend in the apartment? Has the "current person in the room I'm taking" signed anything? All those are important points to determine who has legal standing in this case.

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Climate_Face t1_j1vgm6a wrote

To reiterate what has already been said, the lease isn’t up so they don’t have to do anything. Maybe they haven’t found an apt to move to? Ask them if they need help and don’t be a dick about it.

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ihaveatrophywife t1_j1vgq5h wrote

The lease is a contract with a start date so that is a claim to the place. Reach out to a housing or contract lawyer (there are free services in the state) and explain the situation. The current tenant has a move out date. If they have made it clear that they are not leaving at that date the landlord should be preparing to evict. That’s not your place but you should speak to the landlord to make sure they are going to deal with it. As soon as there was an executed lease, you are under contract. I don’t think you’ll be legally obligated to pay rent to keep the contract valid but an attorney can explain everything.

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mrbohannon0 t1_j1voq91 wrote

Why would they move out before their lease is up? They have every right to finish out their lease, you move in on the month your lease begins not the day you sign papers. Check the dates closely or speak with the landlord

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timberwolf0122 t1_j1vwwko wrote

They are entitled to be their untill the last second of the lease. Not much can be done.

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cesare980 t1_j1w4and wrote

Sounds like you aren't going to be moving in with your friend on the 1st...

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cowontheright t1_j1wc7k4 wrote

Have your landlord issue an eviction notice with both your names on it. Then they will leave and you will stay

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HyruleJedi t1_j1wn8kc wrote

No. But if they have a job or ever leave the house, the locks can be changed quite quickly. Then its VT. Sit outside with your bong and your gun, and wait

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pkvh t1_j1wpzt0 wrote

Do not change the locks on someone who had legal residence at a place.

It is illegal and the courts will look poorly on you.

The tenant can also call the sherriff/police and have them break down the door and you as the landlord are required to get a new door and lock for them.

There is one legal way to evict someone, and the courts will look down poorly on any other attempts.

However, If the tenant vacates ( shows good evidence they've moved out of the property/ no longer intend to inhabit it) then you can change the locks on them.

You must securely store their property for up to 30 days I think and allow them to retrieve it. You can charge a reasonable storage fee.

There are so many limitations in Vermont

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HyruleJedi t1_j1wv99x wrote

It is 100% not illegal to change locks after a lease has expired and appropriate documentation(by state) has informed them of their expired lease.

You are wrong. The last two places I moved out of had painters and new locks installed as I was moving out

−5

Vaderiv t1_j1wwx0s wrote

Years ago this guy this local guy that had a bunch of rental properties and someone quit paying and would not move out he would send a construction crew by and remove all the windows and doors and then they would leave. Can’t do that anymore. It took my brother 3 months to evict a tenant who quit paying.

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LiberaceRingfingaz t1_j1x0h2w wrote

Not only is that definitely illegal unless the tenant willingly vacated, but it's even illegal to kick a friend out of your house and change the locks if you've let them stay there for over 30 days. Technically anyone who is permitted to stay at your residence for 30+ days is a tenant, and is (legally) subject to the same eviction proceedings that you'd have to go through if you'd rented them the place and they refused to leave.

Your locks were changed because you willingly moved out. If you had refused to move out, it would have been completely illegal to change the locks until eviction proceedings had run their course in court.

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RandolphCarter15 t1_j1xao8q wrote

Sorry this isn't helpful but I wonder how much of the housing shortage comes from VT law limiting landlord rights. I considered renting out part of my house but heard so many of these horror stories I figured it wasn't worth it

2