Rights when you are allowed to live rent free

[rochfortbr]

A family member has been allowed to live in an old house on our parents land. He pays his electric bill, but has been allowed to live rent free. Our father has always paid the insurance/tax/water/maintenance and repairs.
He's a hard luck case with a bad drink problem, and has had parties in the house where damage has occurred such as broken windows and doors. We believe that hard drugs are used there too. His behavior is becoming more of an issue, and he's been demanding property deeds from our father as he says that by living in the house for 13 years he now has squatters rights. We're quite sure this claim is completely without merit, but it's impacting our parents who are in their 70s and the rest of us wonder if he can jut be given notice and told to find alternative accommodation. Thanks.

 

[mf1]

"We're quite sure this claim is completely without merit"

You are correct. Because of this:

"Our father has always paid the insurance/tax/water/maintenance and repairs."

The bigger issue is how the family deal with this family member. He is clearly very dependent and can you all just wash your hands of him? There may well be a legal entitlement for your parents to give him notice and tell him to find alternative accommodation but is he likely to say, oh, fair enough, I'll head off so?

mf

 

[rochfortbr]

Thank you for the reply.
We've all carried our brother for years but have been put to the pin of our collective collar by his behavior.
He has taken advantage of our concern and help, and we feel that we have enabled his lifestyle choice and are no longer prepared to indulge him. The anxiety and destruction wrought by this person upon the whole family is no longer tolerable or acceptable.

 

[delgirl]

You could find that it may be the best thing for the family member to stand on his own two feet and for the 'enabling' to stop. He may be able to get his life back on track.

 

[Bronte]

We've all carried our brother for years but have been put to the pin of our collective collar by his behavior.
He has taken advantage of our concern and help, and we feel that we have enabled his lifestyle choice and are no longer prepared to indulge him. The anxiety and destruction wrought by this person upon the whole family is no longer tolerable or acceptable.

I suggest you talk to Al Anon as a starting point.