Evicting a “guest” of tenant in Baltimore - how?

[Erin Malone]

My husband owns a house that his sister is renting from us in Baltimore city. She let a friend of hers and his family live in a basement and they paid her rent up until December. It is clear they will not be paying rent again. Can we go through normal eviction if we don’t have a lease? They have made some noise about moving out of state with a family member. I’m inclined to send them a note demanding fair market rent for the last six months and then filing failure to pay paperwork if they haven’t complied in five days. We could use an eviction company, we have before, but If they really are considering moving out of state, I would like to offer them the money we would pay an eviction company for moving fees if they leave by 1 June. Like a cash for keys deal. Does that sound reasonable? I know it will take two months to evict them and until then we are putting up yet another family member. So time is if the essence to me! Thank you.

[Carleton C.]

@Erin Malone unfortunately, if time is of the essence, your best bet may be to offer cash for keys. Make sure you have the keys before giving them the money though. Also, the sister needs to go at the same time, so if you need to make the same offer to get her out, I would do so. Think about it. She collected rent money from them and that money never made its way to you. And now YOU have to pay to get them out. That’s pretty foul. In my opinion, I think you and your husband should stop renting to family. They are clearly taking advantage of you. Best of luck!