Q: How can I remove a squatter from my uninhabitable garage?
I have someone squatting in my garage, it is not habitable. I told her she could rent the space to do online Webcam but that she couldn't live there, she's now been living in it for a month. This is a code enforcement issue, she's also doing drugs, has I violent dog, and has physically assaulted me, and broke a window out of my house in the process. I can't afford to go to court to evict her, so I need a legal alternative solution.
Since she's squatting in there anyways can I wait until she's gone and "move in" with her to annoy her out? Since its not wired correctly and it might be a fire risk, can I shut off the electricity going to my garage? Can I chain my gate open so her dog will run off? Can I do loud construction on the outside of it during normal business hours? Since it's not habitable can I call code enforcement to remove her? What are my alternative legal options?
A: Illegal evictions are not allowed in California. You must go through the proper channels to obtain an eviction. That being said, the tenancy itself is illegal due to the garage not being a habitable structure.
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