“Deal With It”: Woman Breaks Into Friend’s House And Claims She’s Lived There For Months

I’m sure most of us help our friends whenever they’re struggling, but that’s not always possible. Sadly, instead of taking no for an answer and respecting our boundaries, some people will try to exploit us, using our friendship as an argument to pressure us into compliance. A story from r/LegalAdvice shows just how extreme this can get.

The 19-year-old who posted it refused a 25-year-old friend’s request to stay over. However, when the teen returned home, she found the woman already there, scattering her belongings as if she owned the place.

Unannounced visitors can seriously test our patience

Man and woman standing face to face with arms crossed, depicting tension from friend breaking into house dispute.

Image credits: RDNE Stock project / Pexels (not the actual photo)

But what about unannounced roommates?

Friend breaks into house, plants belongings throughout to prove she lives there, causing legal issues with police involvement.

Text describing a friend who breaks into a house and refuses to leave, claiming she lives there.

Person calls cops after a friend breaks into house and claims to live there as she plants her stuff everywhere.

Police officers in uniform discussing a case outside a house where a friend broke in and planted belongings.

Image credits: Kindel Media / Pexels (not the actual photo)

Alt text: Friend breaks into house and plants her belongings everywhere to prove she lives there in a disputed home situation.

Text on white background about a friend breaking into a house and placing items to prove she lives there.

Alt text: Frustrated homeowner learns about eviction notice after friend breaks into house and claims tenancy by planting belongings.

Man sitting on couch with hand covering face, stressed about friend breaking into house and planting belongings.

Image credits: cottonbro studio / Pexels (not the actual photo)

Text message expressing anger about a friend breaking into house and planting belongings to prove residency.

Text discussing concerns about recording a call involving a friend who breaks into a house to claim residency.

Text from a user discussing how to handle a friend who breaks into their house and plants belongings to prove she lives there.

Angry message expressing frustration about a friend breaking into house and using personal stuff to prove she lives there.

Image credits: crazyb***htenant

Young woman sitting on couch looking frustrated, illustrating friend breaks into house and plants belongings to prove residence.

Image credits: Antoni Shkraba Studio / Pexels (not the actual photo)

It can be difficult to spot manipulators before they enter your life

It would be a mistake to say that the author of the post is responsible for allowing such a person into her life. “Manipulators are difficult to spot because their tactics are rooted in interpersonal dynamics and hard to objectively define,” says licensed professional counselor Jamie Cannon, who specializes in treating trauma, anxiety, and grief.

“Are they saying they love you because they want something from you, or because they really mean it? Do they discount your feelings because they believe you have to feel the way they want you to feel, or because they lack emotional awareness? Trying to pin down a manipulator is incredibly difficult. Their methods are easily concealed and never cut and dried.”

If you are generally trusting of others, it may be hard for you to recognize manipulation when it occurs in your life. But if someone regularly skews situations to make themselves the victim, never takes accountability for their actions affecting you, or if their actions don’t match their words, chances are, you’re being manipulated.

This and other similar situations can be incredibly tricky. “Engaging with a chronic manipulator never ends well; potential outcomes usually include your exhaustion, your walking away, or their success at, once again, exerting power and control over you,” Cannon explains.

According to her, setting firm, clear boundaries is crucial if you want to protect yourself as much as possible. “You cannot make a chronic manipulator change their behaviors, but you can certainly control how you respond to them.”

Person arranging cardboard boxes inside a house, illustrating a friend breaking into house and planting stuff to prove residency.

Image credits: cottonbro studio / Pexels (not the actual photo)

Evicting unwanted roommates can be a drag

Ann O’Connell, who earned her J.D. from UC Berkeley Law, has passed the bar exams in California, Nevada, and Colorado, where she is both an active attorney and a real estate broker. She says that in some areas, unauthorized roommates (and even guests who overstay their welcome) might become legal tenants (even when they don’t sign a lease or rental agreement), simply by virtue of the length of their stay. So, in case you end up in court having to formally evict your roommate, it’s a good idea to keep records of each step you take in the process of removing them.

In this kind of a situation, “your absolute first step … is to have a conversation with them,” O’Connell explains. “Try to work out a timeline by which they’ll move out. If they resist the idea of leaving, point out that it’s easier on you both if they move out without involving the landlord or judicial process.”

“If you can’t reach an agreement with your unwanted roommate, it’s time to take steps to evict them.”

Most landlords require all adults living in a rental to sign the lease or rental agreement. Furthermore, most leases and rental agreements explicitly prohibit non-signers from living in the rental, and limit the number of days that guests may stay at the property. However, remain cautious: if your lease or rental agreement contains similar provisions, your landlord also likely has the right to terminate your tenancy (and possibly evict you) for bringing in an unauthorized roommate.

“Most leases will simply ban extended stay guests, but won’t give you guidance about how to deal with them,” O’Connell says.

If your unwanted roommate ignores your notice and remains in the rental, you might have to file an eviction lawsuit. “In general, the procedures for evicting a resident who isn’t a party to the lease or rental agreement will be the same as those for official tenants, but your state or local laws might be an exception,” she adds.

“A local landlord-tenant attorney can help you navigate how to proceed in your area’s courts. If you can’t afford an attorney, check with the court to find out if there are low-cost or free clinics or assistance for renters.”

People had a lot to say about what had been happening

User discussing security camera options and eviction advice after friend breaks into house and plants belongings to prove residence.

Reddit user warns about dangerous friend planting belongings to prove she lives in house, discussing eviction and legal risks.

Screenshot of a Reddit conversation discussing proving someone lives in a house by planting belongings inside.

Reddit thread discussing friend breaking into house and planting belongings to prove she lives there, eviction concerns raised.

Screenshot of a Reddit conversation discussing a friend breaking into a house and planting belongings to prove residency.

Reddit comment discussing a rare case of a friend breaking into house and placing belongings to prove she lives there.

Screenshot of online conversation about a friend breaking into a house to prove she lives there, discussing home ownership.

Reddit conversation discussing a friend breaking into a house and planting her stuff to prove residence.

Comment advising to get a protection order against a dangerous friend who breaks in and plants belongings to prove residence.

Screenshot of an online comment discussing a friend breaking into a house and planting belongings to prove residency.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment suggesting to go to the police and file for a restraining order against a friend breaking into a house.

Screenshot of an online discussion explaining legal rights of a lodger living in a private residence and eviction rules.

Alt text: Advice on handling a friend breaking into house by reporting and involving authorities for proof of residence.

Comment about legal advice on audio recording consent and proving tenancy through text messages in a house dispute.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing squatters and a friend breaking into a house to prove she lives there.

Screenshot of a forum comment advising to lock doors and force friend who broke in to prove she lives there.

Online comment discussing a friend breaking into a house and planting belongings to prove she lives there.

Comment discussing forensic analysis and location data to prove a friend does not live in the house she broke into.

Screenshot of a forum comment advising to call the police repeatedly about a friend breaking into a house and planting belongings.

Screenshot of a forum comment discussing how proving tenancy elsewhere can support claims in a friend breaking into house case.

Comment about a friend breaking into a house, leaving belongings everywhere to prove she lives there.

The day after her post, the teen issued an update

Young man sitting on bed, looking at phone with focused expression in a dimly lit room, illustrating friend breaks into house scenario.

Image credits: Ron Lach / Pexels (not the actual photo)

Text message explaining how a friend breaks into house and plants her stuff to prove she lives there.

Screenshot of a text message discussing plans to meet after work and asking if anything should be done before he arrives.

Text discussing concerns about recording, calling cops, and fear of domestic violence involving a friend who breaks into house.

Image credits: crazyb***htenant

People weren’t sure about the way the teen was handling the situation

Text post discussing advice on handling a friend who breaks into house and claims to live there.

Text exchange discussing a friend breaking into house, planting belongings to prove she lives there, and seeking advice on handling situation.

Screenshot of text discussing evidence to prove a friend does not live in the house, mentioning social media and conversations.

Reddit conversation about a friend breaking into a house and planting belongings to prove she lives there.

Screenshot of a Reddit conversation discussing a friend breaking into a house and planting belongings to prove she lives there.

Text conversation discussing advice on not being alone with a friend who breaks into house and plants belongings.

Screenshot of a social media comment questioning why the friend who breaks into house doesn’t just move in with the boyfriend

Screenshot of a forum comment discussing unwelcome people staying in a home after a friend breaks in and plants belongings.

In the end, it seems that everything worked out

Man leaning back on sofa with eyes closed, illustrating friend break into house scenario with planted belongings.

Image credits: cottonbro studio / Pexels (not the actual photo)

Text excerpt describing a friend breaking into a house, crying, blaming, apologizing, and packing her stuff to leave.

Text about filing a restraining order and police report after friend breaks into house and leaves evidence behind.

Text screenshot showing concern about getting a protective order and installing an alarm system due to a friend breaking into the house.

Text excerpt from a person apologizing about advice to file a restraining order after a friend breaks into house.

Comment discussing a friend who breaks into a house and tries to prove she lives there by planting her stuff throughout.

Text excerpt showing a person expressing surprise after a friend breaks into house and plants belongings to prove she lives there.

Text expressing relief and thankfulness after a friend breaks into house and plants belongings to prove residence.

Image credits: crazyb***htenant

People were just glad to hear no one was harmed

Alt text: Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing a friend breaking into a house and planting belongings to prove residency.

Comment on a forum post with text about a friend breaking into house and planting belongings to prove residence.

User comment describing a false lease at a childhood home as a friend breaks into house and claims to live there.

Screenshot of an online comment expressing frustration about dealing with squatters and their behavior.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing a friend breaking into a house and planting belongings to prove residency.

Comment discussing proof of tenancy through documents like mail, bank statements, and credit card bills to verify claims.

Comment on a forum post discussing a friend breaking into a house and planting belongings to prove she lives there.

Text post from forum user Justbored2much questioning police belief in a friend breaking into house incident.

Screenshot of a social media comment questioning why someone calls a friend who breaks into a house and plants belongings there a friend.

Poll Question

Total votes ·

Thanks! Check out the results:

Total votes ·

Newsletter

Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls

Subscribe

By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.

Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!

Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda!