How to deal with a potentially mentally unstable renter?

[Brando]

So... I'll make this as detailed as I can but still word it in a way as to not imply I have a psychopath living in my house...

Basically I share a house with a friend of mine. Great guy, I've known him many years, yada yada we get along incredibly well. Over the past 2.5 years I have lived here we have had a total of 3 roommates (2.5 sorta?). The first one was a great guy who had his stuff together. He mostly kept to himself, had a good sense of humor but all-of-a-sudden up and moved to FL with a girl he met. Whatever the heart wants right? Second roommate was actually my friend's girlfriend for a while. They "broke up" but he didn't have the heart to kick her out. One bad event lead to another and she got kicked to the curb. Besides her binge drinking and bad parenting (yes, she moved her kid in too) she was somewhat easy to deal with.

Now, roommate #3 seems to be a piece of work. My friend and I both "interviewed" her before accepting her as a renter. Having our share of flakes and no-goods we decided this person was a good candidate. Despite being in her mid-40s and unemployed, she had steady cashflow in the form of grants to go to school for a degree in electronics... We weren't concerned with missed or late rent payments. She had a fairly good social life... a friend of hers who was very animated and humorous came by to visit her often and at times they would have their girls' fun out. All is well and normal! That was back in December-09/January-10.

Around Feb-March this year she stops seeing her friend. Apparently she said her friend was a bit of a freeloader and only wanted to spend time with her when she was footing the bill. Understandable -- nobody wants to pay for everything. Then she stops going to school... Apparently a pre-existing back condition of sorts makes it nigh-impossible for her to go to school and do most of her daily routine. My friend and I don't mind really so long as rent isn't an issue. Since she stopped going to school she started occupying her time with cleaning the house, chores, etc... I've told her on multiple occasions that she shouldn't over-exert herself if her back is such an issue. Also around this time she gets a license to use/grow weed for her own personal use (limited amount). Again, neither my friend nor I worry since the legalities are good, rent isn't an issue ... and hey, she's even cleaning the house to boot.

A little after that time she's complaining about us never doing anything around the house, slamming the door, being too loud, she's in too much pain... We listened intently and tried to reason. I put an extra silencer on the front door so it doesn't "slam" when closing it. We told her that if she's injured she shouldn't be over-exerting herself, and that we never told or required her to do any of the house work. Issues addressed and worked over. We do our best to cater to her needs.

Then in April she drops a bombshell... Apparently she believes at one of her past employers she was part of some pseudo-MK Ultra brain-messy-wishy-washy program. Something about microchips, RF frequencies, mind control, remote-pain stimulation etc. She told us she was part of some "group" that was targeted, their lives destroyed, family ties broken and all other sorts of weird stuff. She had to stop going to school because "they would find her". She saw some famous psychologist or psychiatrist on TV endorsing his new book and told us "that is the guy who did this to me... to us." Any past relationship or experience she had to tell us about was a negative one. So-and-so screwed her over, so-and-so was extorting her, so-and-so borrowed money and never paid her back.

During this period it seems she has nothing but bad things to say about my friend. He's demanding too much for rent, he doesn't give a f*ck about me, I'm in so much g-d pain, you guys don't do crap around here, he's an a-hole, he's trying to push me out of here, etc etc. Eventually they were able to iron things out and I let it blow over as some menopausal occurrence.

For some reason or another in the past 5-6 months or so she's come off her rocker. Dropped out of school, no friends, no job, no hobbies... I think she's lost it. What was the deciding factor? Earlier this evening a friend of mine came by. We had to do some quick work on his Solstice: new coolant temp sensor and plug. We're outside, talking quietly. Minutes after him arriving she opened the front door and asked us to not be loud since her room is by the front of the house. We said no prob, no power tools, talk softly and we'll get it done asap. Not more than 5 minutes she's yelling for me to come in the house so "we can talk. we're gonna go at it". I realize real quick this isn't going to be a comprehensive discussion -- no, it's going to be her yelling about how we're hurting her (physically). She pretty much told me to get the f-ck out because I'm the threat, I'm the one hurting her, I'm assaulting her. I said "OKAY CRAZY LADY" and walked out the front door. She started to yell something I don't remember and I said "Deal with your own f-cking problems" and shut the door behind me. In hindsight, I shouldn't have lit that fuse. My bad, world. My bad. I just shrugged it off to get back to the task at hand. We finished our work quietly, finished and my friend went about his way after a late-night snack.

I watched some tv shows online (low volume) and talked to my girl for about 45. Came online to read PPOT and PARF, then started writing this. She had a few bouts of shouting at ... something? someone? ... in her room. Smoked out (a lot) and slammed doors going from her room, kitchen, bathroom, back yard and in-between any combination thereof.

And in fact, at the time of writing this (0245) my friend just got home from work and wanted to chat with me for a bit. She opened her door to tell him "we need to talk tomorrow", sees me standing in my doorway talking to him and has another shouting outburst. Lots of f-bombs, in-coherent ranting about the heater, give her rent back so she can leave, they're causing us to have sleep deprivation, she has needles in her back, she went to the doctor... We could only stare blankly at each-other.

So, my thoughts on the situation:
• This lady's f-cking nuts!
• We need her out, asap and a younger, more stable and sane renter.
• This lady's history, mentality and life-situation is a direct result of her own actions (not a .gov conspiracy).
• We're walking on egg-shells in our own home as to not set this lady into violent (physical) outbursts.

I could really use some input here from those who have dealt with either mentally unstable people, bad renters or both. How to keep things from escalating? At what point do we get the authorities involved? Legally speaking, what forms of recourse do we have to quick-evict her before the 1st? And finally... comments, concerns, positive reinforcement?

Thanks...

[Geronimo '74]

Originally Posted by Brando

So, my thoughts on the situation:
• This lady's f-cking nuts!
• We need her out, asap and a younger, more stable and sane renter.
• This lady's history, mentality and life-situation is a direct result of her own actions (not a .gov conspiracy).
• We're walking on egg-shells in our own home as to not set this lady into violent (physical) outbursts.
.

Wow!!!

I'll start by telling that I've never been in this kind of situation. (the people that rent from me have always been nice folks)
But I would say it is time you kick her out!!
From what I'm reading here she clearly has lost it. And things seem to be getting worse still.
Are you going to wait until she falsely accuses you (or your friend) and goes to the authorities??
Do you want a fake rape charge on your hands??
Or the place set on fire???
Is she paying the bills still? If she has been complaining about the rent being high, how long do think it will take before her first rent will be late???

Be careful, take precautions, get her out of there!

Good luck!

[KFC911]

Did she sign a long term lease (I don't do them...they really only benefit the tenant imo) or month-to-month (via lease/implied without one)? If m-t-m, then give her a 30 day notice and adios. Life's too short to put up with someone elses drama...

[notfarnow]

30 days, with a 1mth back bonus for vacating quicker

does she have any family you can call?

[jhynesrockmtn]

At one point I had several rentals. One of the only problems I ever had was a young guy renting a one bedroom from me. The rent came regularly for 4 or 5 months and then stopped, letters and calls not returned. We got the sheriff to post an eviction notice and went in. Wow, garbage all over like on a hoarding show. Food rotting everywhere. The fun part was the pages and pages of writings about some very dark stuff. Paranoid rants, etc. He also had a bunch of military issue equipment including bullet proof vests, uniforms, etc. Thankfully never heard from him again.

I would make sure this is by the book but she needs to go now, you might want a lawyer involved, at a minimum the police/sheriff. Document everything.

[Joeaksa]

Toss her rear end out. What if you come home someday only to find a smoking hole in the ground after she decided that both of you were against her and she was going to get back at both of you?

How much is it worth you to have "Dr. Phil" come by, sit in a car outside and you threaten to turn her over to him for a months therapy? Am not free but would love to "mind f" with idiots like this...

Joe A

[Porsche-O-Phile]

She sounds like a total head-case. I'd get her the hell out now. You don't need crazy hanging around any longer than absolutely necessary. 30 days notice. Today. I like the idea of a "if you get out sooner you can keep some money" incentive. Get her gone now.

Life is way too short for stupid drama. One reason I'll never again have roommates or tenants.

[t951]

DOCUMENT EVERYTHING.
Make sure you notify the authorities first, before she accuses you or your room mate. there are things far worse than missing a month's rent.

ALSO...

Start leaving things around the house that indicate you are part of a large conspiracy. That you know those doctors and that you are planning to remove parts of her brain next. Note the fact that you can only do that if she stays in this location for another month as it takes that long to prep the house for radio waves. She will want to get out quick!

[A930Rocket]

Next time she wants to talk, say hold that thought, and go get your tin foil hat. Now what were you saying....

[legion]

It always amazes me how much crazy some chicks can hide and for how long.

[lane912]

[QUOTE=t951;5447504
ALSO...

Start leaving things around the house that indicate you are part of a large conspiracy. That you know those doctors and that you are planning to remove parts of her brain next. Note the fact that you can only do that if she stays in this location for another month as it takes that long to prep the house for radio waves. She will want to get out quick![/QUOTE]

+1!!

also, it could be time to replace your rings in the driveway. or cut that pesky rust spot out....

[Jim Bremner]

Is she Hot?



Just kidding!

do anything that you coan do to get her some help (and to move)

[red-beard]

Pen Cameras.

[stomachmonkey]

Sounds bi polar and has gone off her meds.

My SIL had a phenomenal nannie that had a couple of "episodes".

Admitted she had gone off her meds for a bit but was back on and everything would be cool going forward.

Then she tells the SIL that she was pregnant and the father was Jesus Christ.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Sounds bi polar and has gone off her meds...

.:

Or maybe it's the big "M"...hard to tell the difference with some . One thing's for sure, as a landlord, you MUST do it "right", or she could make you pay dearly as you can't just toss her out without crossing the "i"s and dotting the "t"s or something like that. I'd probably just pay her to gtf OUT, right now.

[crustychief]

I like the "Gaslighting Abbie" approach as long as you are safe.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by red-beard

Pen Cameras.

BTW they are on sale at yugster

[Brando]

So, some updates:

My friend and I didn't get much sleep last night. Lots of door-slamming, yelling to herself in her room, etc. We've tried to tell her we can sit down, talk this out but... she prefers to yell, punch the wall and accuse my friend and of pushing her out. Its always "Since I told you guys I wanted to leave in October you've been doing this to me. I can't sleep! I've been hurting, you've been physically hurting me! You guys are the threat! F*ck you!"

Earlier this morning my friend tried to talk her down a little bit... Same thing. He asked me if I would consider apologizing. I told him I had, but in actuality I should not apologize for things that happened in her head! :tinfoilhat:

I do like the ideas of leaving conspiracy paraphernalia around the house... Maybe getting someone to do "surveillance" on the house an hour or two during the day while we're gone. Although, I worry what the results of something like that would be with someone who already thinks they are being watched and then they are...

She is on a verbal month-to-month. No agreement was ever signed (by any of us).

Jim Bremner: No, she is the antithesis of hot.
legion: I am understanding what you mean!
A930Rocket: This is an excellent idea... Maybe it will keep her outward crazyrays from inflicting harm on my cerebellum.
notfarnow: She doesn't have any friends or family. At all. I'm starting to see why.

We're going to try to defuse the situation by giving her some cash to leave early. Maybe we can convince her to turn the crazy down til the 15th or 16 and we can pro-rate an early vacancy. Between my friend and I, we can swing August if the utilities are low... Meaning she's not running 4 loads of laundry a day and leaving all the lights on in the house. Since she moved in our water, gas and electric bills have tripled. It will be nice to have a $48 water bill again.

We're taking notes of these outbursts and her behavior. Should things go awry we've got the details on our side. Although, I believe if any of the "authorities" had 5 minutes to listen to her rantings they'd have an understanding.

[wdfifteen]

This sounds sooo familiar. Do you know if she is taking narcotics for the back problem? If so you probably can't convince her to turn the crazy down. I lived with someone who took prescription narcotics for pain. The drugs made her obsessive and paranoid and - sometimes - aggressive.
I like your plan of paying her leave early. Get her out. She could hurt someone or do something stupid and costly that would take you years to recover from.

[wreckersteve]

Crazy chicks are a blast in the sack. Just saying.