Roommate left possesions

[TJKAKY123]

Hi All,

I agreed to let a friend of mine stay with me in my 1 yr old home while she gathered herself after a divorce and relationship problems with the new man in her life. I moved around my home to accomodate her, paid for her UHaul, & moved her 45 minutes to my home.

I told her February would be free, anything after that would be $500.00 per month (this included food, rent, cable, heat, etc.). She requested cable in her room, so I called and added cable at a cost to me of $35.00 that she said she would pay for.

On Thursday she calls me saying she would be staying thru March possibly into April (her boyfriend just went active in the military and left on Wed. to sign in at Ft. Hood in TX.). We agree on price ($500) and she says her first payment would be on 2/28/06 for that full amount. We discussed food since I was going to the grocery store & she gives me items she would like me to purchase, which I did.

Friday evening (same week) she calls me at 7pm and asks me where I am, then proceeds to tell me she has quit her job & is on her way to the house now to pack whatever she can fit in her tiny car & is moving immediately to TX. to be with her boyfriend & that they are getting married the next day.

Essentially all she took with her is clothing, her cat and shoes. I am left with the mess to clean up and all her belongings. What are my rights and what should I do with her things?!:confused:

Thanks for any help!

[ohiolandlord]

My first thought is it would've been great if you had had her sign a lease and given you a security deposit but it's too late for that now. I would provide her written notice that if she doesn't claim her belongings within 30 days, you will consider her belongings abandoned and you are going to dispose of them as you see fit. Send it to her certified mail, return receipt requested so that you can prove she received the letter. As for the money she owes you, I would consider it a wash for a lesson well learned.