NWgirl2013, thank you so much for your post.

My landlord does know about my room-mate (that he lives here)...and YES he is by legal definition a trespasser/squatter...you would think the landlord would kind of look into the situation, wouldn't you? The thing is, I rent in a ghetto, so...slum-lords. Thank you for understanding that California law is extremely in favor of the criminal. It's insane, an insane, stupid law. I found out today that a "kick-out order" (which would legally get the room-mate off the premises IF I could get a judge to enforce the order) takes THIRTY days to take effect. Thanks a lot.

I feel like an absolute fool for being kind, for offering the man a place to get himself together - and for being taken advantage of so severely, with no legal help on my side....God help you in this state if you offer a friend your couch for more than 3 months, because the law essentially forces you to financially support some loser who refuses to get his act together and destroys your home. The guy has taken over my home, bullies me, and laughs about the "law being on his side".

I'm figuring that when I do move, the room-mate will remain on the premises until the landlord is able to kick him out.....which is usually three months in California. I have a spotless 30-year rental history, but it's likely that my "friend" will ruin that.

I am physically sick all of the time over this mess, I feel hopeless, terrifying despair, have increased all my meds to try to cope better...all I want to do is sleep. I just hope I find a new home this week, but I'll be very, very lucky to find a place that quickly.