Mentally I'll friend rented her home for 5 years a half price via email.

[Account Closed]

I apologize if this is in the wrong area, but I'm not sure where to post this. Another website said this might be a good place to do it. 

I have friend who is renting a house in Minnesota who is a wheelchair bound 100% disabled veteran with documented and on going mental health issues. She's actually suicidal most of the time. She is unable to work more than 10 hours a week .  

A couple of years ago while she was in the hospital she rented her house via email, no standard formal contract,  for 5 years at half the going rate to a current renter because of a sob story he gave her. She told him she wasn't even covering her expenses but felt bad for him. She has a big heart, but was delusional and didn't know what she was doing. She has since been subsidizing this guy for the last two years and now is going broke. I found out about it and helped her catch up on the payments so she wouldn't lose the house. The renter refuses to budge on the rent even though she has been helping him for two years. We offered the guy some money to move out, but he has it too good and refuses.  He is now trying extortion and is offering to buy the house for $100k less than it is worth. She has spent over $10,000 repair every item he said needs repairing but he wants more and it threatening her if she doesn't pay. He knows she is ill and is hoping she will just give up. 

She doesn't know what to do. We don't think any investor will buy the house with a renter who is paying less than half the going rate. and we can't sell it to an individual with him in it.  We are afraid of hiring an attorney because we are afraid they'll charge her a lot of money even if they think she won't win. I would help her pay for an attorney if they really thought they could do something. This immoral and wrong on any level. The poor girl served her country and is now in a bad place and some guy is willing to steal from her potentially at the cost of her life. 

Any advice on how we can sell this house to an investor, or an individual to get out of it without her going broke, would be helpful. Maybe someone knows the laws in Minnesota or can give us advice or a referral to someone who can help would be appreciated. 

Again, sorry if this is in the wrong place. We don't know where else to turn. 

[Carl Millsap]

John, 

No need to sell if she wants to keep her home.

1. Check with the district / circuit court in your area. They can tell you what the process is to evict someone.  

2. Follow the process to the letter, don't cut corners. If the law says give a written 30 day notice, then write a 30 day notice to vacate letter, mail it, or post it on the door whatever the law says is necessary. 

If you have to post it on the door, take a picture of it on the door.

3. Document everything. I wouldn't engage the tenant in conversation, all communication if any should be in writing.

4. Consult an attorney who handles evictions. Normally they have a flat rate to handle evictions which will probably include filing fees. You may find an attorney sympathetic to vets who is willing to walk you through the process at a discount or no charge at all if you handle everything.

5. If your friend is mentally ill, whoever has a power of attorney should be handling this for her.  

Good luck.