Q: My roommate was convicted of child abuse. Can he be evicted and/or lease terminated?
His girlfriend bailed him out of jail today and we don't feel comfortable with him living here anymore. We have two children and the police have basically told us we have to keep a closer watch on them and they aren't allowed on their own at the house because he may be there or come home without anyone else there. Our landlord doesn't feel comfortable with him there anymore either. She's searched the lease for a legal reason to evict him and cant find anything.
A: You can try to buy-out the tenant's interest or reach a private agreement for the tenant to leave. You cannot force an eviction or termination of the lease unless you are allowed in the lease agreement. If there is violence directed towards you or the children you can proceed with either an injunction or domestic violence claim (which also grants and injunction). Beyond that you cannot force the roommate out legally. Also be forewarned, if you make the living arrangement too uncomfortable you can create a cause of action for the roommate to argue constructive eviction. Social awkwardness is ok, but doing punitive or invasive actions are not ok.
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