Rented a room out?

Question

I rented a room out on Aug 1. She paid rent in cash that day. She did not sign a lease. She has not been home in 3 weeks and the rent was due on Sept 1. She wont return my calls or my text messages. I heard that she was fired from her job and have no way of contactimg her otherwise. I dont know what I can do legally on California. All of her stuff is still in her room. Any help would be so appreciated. If you know who I can contact or anything. Thanks!

If any of you have any info on web sites or hotlines, please get me that info. I am coming up short.

I asked at the police station and they said that I had to give her a 3 day eviction notice in writing but HELLO -she is MIA.

Answer 1

OK she didn't sign a lease, and there is nothing that commits you or binds you to her right? So right now she's nothing but a pesky freeloader - she's not a relative, not a tenant. Call the police and put her things in storage outside of your home, yes that's a pain a bit, but if she's MIA and that irresponsible, Lord knows it's better for you to pay the storage fee than let her have access to you house, which by the way you should change the locks on. California has the most lenient tenent laws in the land, and if you get into a tenant/landlord fight with her, chances are you'll pay and you'll have to let her stay. Since there is nothing binding and she has deserted you, you were a Good Samaritan that let her crash while she got her act together. Trust me on this one....

Answer 2

Well, I guess when you found a new tenant, you can move out the girl's things from the room since she hasn't paid up nor showed up.. (Give it like at least a month)
You can put the stuff aside and see if she's coming back. When she does, tell her the room has been taken. Could you make a police report on her whereabouts if you're concerned? Hope nothing bad happened to her.

I don't think you're obliged to any law since there was no contract signed. It was verbal agreement, right?

Answer 3

First of all the fact that in your opinion she is MIA should be reported to the police. Second although she does not have a rental agreement with you, you and her are both addressed in the Landlord Tenant act in California and therefore regulated as to what each of you can and can not do regarding the rental (with or without a writing) and the procedures that must be taken in the case you've described. You should read the act and see what it says about your situation and how to proceed.
Here is their link:
LANDLORD TENANT ACT: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate?WAISdocID=72145723910+1+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve
Buena Suerte

Answer 4

Nobody can answer that question. You have to contact an attorney and most will answer questions with out charging you. I would contact a real estate attorney. I also heard that if you put an ad in the newspaper as if it were an eviction notice to your tenant, that would constitute as written notice. I've known people to do it for divorce papers since their spouce couldn't be found.

Answer 5

After about 3/4 weeks of her not being here, pack her things up and store them. Don't sell them or throw htem away at this point in case she comes back looking for them, you don't want to find yourself liable for anything. Call a free legal hotline for furhter advice on what to do with her belongings and find yourself a new tenant. PUt something in writing this time and perhaps lodge a bond?

Answer 6

I would send her a 3 day certified letter to that address you last know her at which is yours. Then procede through the eviction process. Contact the small claims department in your state. Or call your local landlord association. good luck!