I also took photos of the changed lock and documented the unauthorized modifications he’d made to the basement.
The two officers who arrived were thoroughly professional. Officer Thompson, the senior one, listened to both our stories.
Michael tried his spiel about established residency and tenant rights. He showed his dated selfies and mail. He was confident, even condescending, explaining to the officers how the law worked.
Officer Thompson then asked the key question.
“Sir, do you have a lease agreement?”
“Well, no, but—”
“Have you paid any rent?”
“That’s not relevant, too.”
“Did the homeowner give you permission to change the locks?”
Michael’s confidence started cracking.
“I have rights. I’ve been here over 30 days. He’s my brother. This is a family matter.”
Officer Thompson turned to me.
“Sir, do you want this individual removed from your property?”
“Yes, officer. He was a guest who was supposed to stay a few days. He’s overstayed his welcome and damaged my property by changing my locks without permission.”
The officers informed Michael that while they couldn’t immediately remove him due to the complexity of the situation, changing the locks was indeed property damage. They gave him two options. Leave voluntarily tonight, or they’d file a report that could lead to criminal charges.
Michael, suddenly less cocky, stammered about needing time to find a place. The officers made it clear he could take that time, but any criminal mischief would result in immediate arrest. They suggested he not push his luck.
After the police left, Michael retreated to the basement, probably to Google frantically about his options.
I used that time to implement phase two of my response.
David had already prepared an official notice to quit. Not an eviction notice, but a formal demand that a guest leave the premises. Since Michael wasn’t a tenant, the typical eviction process didn’t apply, but David wanted everything documented properly.
The next morning, I had the notice professionally served. The process server knocked on the basement door at 7 Huzzro.
Michael, still in his boxers, was handed the official documents, giving him 72 hours to vacate or face criminal trespassing charges. The look of shock on his face as he realized I’d hired an actual process server was worth every penny of the $75 fee.
But I wasn’t done.
If Michael wanted to play house in my basement, he could do it without my utilities.
I called my utility companies and explained the situation. Since everything was in my name and I was the sole owner, I had every right to modify service to my property.
Within 24 hours, I’d had the electrical breaker to the basement locked, the gas line to the basement heater shut off, and the water to the basement bathroom discontinued.
Michael came storming upstairs that evening, his phone flashlight providing the only illumination.
“You can’t do this. This is illegal. Landlords can’t shut off utilities.”
I was ready for this.
“You’re absolutely right, Michael. Landlords can’t shut off utilities to tenants. Good thing you’re not a tenant. You made that very clear when you said you’d established squatters rights. Squatters don’t get utilities. Besides, I’m not shutting them off. I’m simply declining to provide free utilities to a trespasser.”
He threatened to call the cops. I encouraged him to do so.
He threatened to call our parents. I handed him my phone.
He threatened to sue me. I gave him David’s business card and said, “My attorney would love to discuss the criminal trespassing charges and property damage.”