06-12-2024, 06:07 PM
So, I have a place with a unpermitted structure I built. Initial plan was to make it livable but not fancy, and spend a few weeks a year there.
After it got put up, but not even close to finished (think no door or windows), I get a call from one of my neighbors. He had a "friend" who was living on a nearby lot, and it had been bought, and the new owner wanted him gone. Big mistake, I agreed he could crash at my place IF he kept a eye on things and acted as a caretaker, namely, keeping the weeds at bay.
Years on, I'm sure most of you can guess how well this went. He got lazy, quit working, doesn't do a damn thing (the weeds are 6ft tall 10ft away from the structure). I tolerated this for awhile. I called him "the devil I know," comforting myself that at least I didn't have a aggressive squatter. Couple of trips I even helped him load up a bunch of crap and took it to the dump.
Well, not one to know how good he had it, the "caretaker" just keeps testing my tolerance and patience. He bought a cheap car, that broke down, then another, that broke down, now I have a few of them on my property. He has his friends over, and my neighbors like to share the stories of them making noise all hours. He bothers my neighbors by asking for rides to town constantly, and has offered drugs as payment. One of the friends is a known (by locals and cops) as a thief, stealing various items from people in the neighborhood. Finally, I got a story that one of the broke down cars was on fire recently, and my "caretaker" was seen drunk in the yard, clutching a bottle of booze, watching the blaze while the neighbors called the fire department.
Essentially, I have had it with this guy. I now have good neighbors on both sides that have agreed to keep a eye on my place and call the cops if someone attempts to squat.
My plan at the moment is to write up a termination letter, telling him to vacate, delivered in person, and give him 30 days. I'm tempted to offer $500 contingent on no theft or vandalism to my property, obviously paid out after he's gone.
Any thoughts, advise, or stories are welcome.
After it got put up, but not even close to finished (think no door or windows), I get a call from one of my neighbors. He had a "friend" who was living on a nearby lot, and it had been bought, and the new owner wanted him gone. Big mistake, I agreed he could crash at my place IF he kept a eye on things and acted as a caretaker, namely, keeping the weeds at bay.
Years on, I'm sure most of you can guess how well this went. He got lazy, quit working, doesn't do a damn thing (the weeds are 6ft tall 10ft away from the structure). I tolerated this for awhile. I called him "the devil I know," comforting myself that at least I didn't have a aggressive squatter. Couple of trips I even helped him load up a bunch of crap and took it to the dump.
Well, not one to know how good he had it, the "caretaker" just keeps testing my tolerance and patience. He bought a cheap car, that broke down, then another, that broke down, now I have a few of them on my property. He has his friends over, and my neighbors like to share the stories of them making noise all hours. He bothers my neighbors by asking for rides to town constantly, and has offered drugs as payment. One of the friends is a known (by locals and cops) as a thief, stealing various items from people in the neighborhood. Finally, I got a story that one of the broke down cars was on fire recently, and my "caretaker" was seen drunk in the yard, clutching a bottle of booze, watching the blaze while the neighbors called the fire department.
Essentially, I have had it with this guy. I now have good neighbors on both sides that have agreed to keep a eye on my place and call the cops if someone attempts to squat.
My plan at the moment is to write up a termination letter, telling him to vacate, delivered in person, and give him 30 days. I'm tempted to offer $500 contingent on no theft or vandalism to my property, obviously paid out after he's gone.
Any thoughts, advise, or stories are welcome.