Subletter Has Made Me Homeless!!

[Lilly]

Look, inmanix, you really have to collect a few of your friends and move back into the apartment this weekend. Is her name Marsha by chance?

[HardKnocks]

All "bitter old lady" comments aside... (I'm going on 40 and am neither bitter nor old), you sound like a very young girl who has been conned and intimidated by a psychopath and is understandably afraid of her.

Your online ad is proof that the arrangement was for four weeks. And if the police saw you with a black eye and her untouched, well, it's no longer your word against hers. They had reason to assume that this woman had assaulted you, and should have taken action.

Call the police again. But this time STAY COMPOSED. Show them your ad, your bills, and any other proof you may have that it's YOUR apartment. Like your lease. She is an INTRUDER. A TRESPASSER. Say and do whatever it takes to make her look like the psycho she is... and you must appear to be calm, innocent and incredulous that this weirdo could possibly think she can legally take over your apartment like she has. Do your best to appear reasonable and sane.

It may be time to get the landlord involved. But DON'T tell him you were away job-hunting! You were visiting family. Play innocent... you thought you would be allowed to let someone stay there for a few weeks... you never would have done it otherwise. And ask for his help.

Truthfully, the police should escort this woman out of your home. The law is on your side.

But if all this fails, well... let's just say Lilly has given some wise advice in her last few posts...

Where are you living in the meantime? Are you using your own computer to access this board?

[inmanx]

Ha ha, Lilly. You have really made me laugh in an otherwise miserable day!! Yes, I thought about that -- some BIG, FAT, BOUNCER friends, you know what I mean..... I know that would help because so far she's only seen little old nice, wimpy me and she knows she can beat the hell out of me. Unfortunately all my friends are skinny--plus they are really into "the law"! I guess I could use Tony Soprano. These lawyers I talked to go on and on about the months I will have to wait -- to get into MY OWN HOME , when I have no other!!! What about MY rights, you know what I am saying. To make matters worse, my sister is getting married in two weeks and my poor old dad was supposed to travel from another country to stay with me until the wedding. That's off. Not to sound pathetic, but he's old and sick and I was really looking forward to having him here while he's still alive -- I'm serious. He has not been well at all. So he is not coming now. I am just sick with worry--but you did make me laugh

[inman]

I am now at a hotel. Not using my own computer--why do you ask. Could I get into trouble if all this is traced??

[HardKnocks]

Don't worry! LOL I was just wondering if she has all of your belongings held hostage... and if you're living in some internet cafe somewhere.

All kidding aside, this is a horrible situation and the police should be protecting you against this person who is trespassing against you in your home. It's your place and your lease. Have you thought some more about involving your landlord?

[HardKnocks]

How can you afford a hotel?? I hope it's not one of those nasty ones. You need to get a job, and fast. Starbucks, whatever. You need some money, because you can't live in a hotel forever, and as unfair as it is, you may need to find a new place. So please, find whatever kind of job you can (a job in a food-type setting like Starbucks or Hale and Hearty etc. would also feed you for free or at low-cost!) and get yourself some money.

[Lilly]

I'm thinking (always a dangerous proposition for me) that you must get a friend or two to accompany you when you move back into your apartment, that way you have witnesses in case something should happen- no more your word against hers, it will from now on be her word against all of yours(plural). I would just put her stuff outside the door and tell the cops (when she calls them) that she already moved OUT and that she's trying to move back IN. Or, is she ever out of the apartment? That's the time do Just do it.

[HardKnocks]

Good ideas, Lilly and Me Again! I was just trying to encourage her to stay within the law, but truthfully, if it were me, that loony's crap would be out in the street (through the window if necessary) and the locks would be changed. Then let her prove she lives there. Guess that comes with "old age." LOL!!!

But if OP can prove (by her online ad) that this agreement was only for a month, the loony still has rights beyond that if she chooses to trespass and illegally occupy past the expiration of the agreement? Seems wrong.

[Lilly]

What's this broads first name?

[inmanx]

I just wanted to thank everyone so much for all their help. It really meant a lot to me to know that while I was broke and homeless, there were people out there who wanted to give advice.
I was at a really crepy hotel because I couldn't get in touch with my friends that night..but now I am at a friend's house. I think the Starbucks things is right. I am going around everywhere to get even some basic work.
This broad's name begins with a C. I don't want to mention more because she is a little loony and spends ALL her time holed up cruising the Internet. I don't know if she knows about this site--but she is just a very nasty litigious person.
All your advice has been great. Thank you all again so much. I guess I am just disappointed in the New York Housing System. I know it's meant to protect tenants from big powerful landlords, but there should be separate laws for people like me who are really not landlords and people like this b*&^, who squat illegally on other people's homes because they don't have their own life -- or are not happy with their own life. She hasn't even paid me for the next month.

[Lilly]

You really must take some action: Is your phone in the apartment still on? If so, have it temporarily shut off, ditto with the con-ed and internet access if thats in your name as well.

[inmanx]

I've been told shutting off utilities would be illegal...don't know if it's true.

[jot0n0]

The difference here is that the utilities bills are under your name and you are the one making payments as oppose to the LL telling the utilities companies to turn off services which are not under LL's name, nor does he pay for.

[HardKnocks]

Just out of curiosity... how long is left on your lease? And how do you think your landlord would react if he knew what was going on here?