Filled with the spirit of generosity that often accompanies a holiday season, people might feel more inclined to let their relatives, friends, or ex-partners temporarily stay in the spare bedroom. But what happens when a guest refuses to leave—even after the tree’s been taken down and you’ve asked them to leave multiple times?   

Our Legal FAQ How do I remove a guest who won’t leave? points to several Texas laws and resources that may be useful if you find yourself in this kind of situation. A related video briefly summarizes a few key points.  

You can watch the video on YouTube:

If you can’t work out an agreement with the guest, you may have to follow the same steps a landlord would take to evict a tenant. While it may seem inconvenient, following the legal process might help you assert your legal rights and reduce the risk of a lawsuit. The Evictions section of our Landlord/Tenant Law research guide has more information on the eviction process.  

As always, we recommend consulting an attorney to determine the best course of action for your specific situation. The library’s Legal Help guide is a good place to find free or low-cost options for speaking to a lawyer directly, like lawyer referral services, legal clinics, and legal hotlines. 

May your holidays be merry and bright, and may your guests always move out on time!