Need legal advice on a hostile roommate situation (lots of context added)
landlord tenant attorney Missouri Aug 15, 2026
Location: Missouri So I recently posted an ad for a roommate to help save money and I almost immediately got a response from a person who was interested. I invited them over for a tour and everything seemed to go well. They moved and it immediately went down hill. So for some legal context I have not added them to the lease yet. My lease states someone can live at my place without being added for up to two weeks. They set up some boundaries which is perfectly fine and was nothing unreasonable, however when I told them mine they flew into a rage. calling names and insults, they threatened to harm my pets, and screaming at the top of their lungs “you won’t take my rights” “I know my rights” over and over for 30 min, followed by filming me saying they were doing it for their own protection because I was giving off Malicious energy, and finished the night by calling the cops on me. These are the boundaries I set btw: 1. We both have our own food, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, dishes, etc.. don’t touch mine. (They wanted this in a discussion we had before they moved in. I brought it up in my boundaries thing as a reminder to them after they ate my food) 2. I have pets so keep the door shut 3. Turn any lights off you aren’t using to help with electricity costs. 4. I explained to them that I do have cameras set up at the front door (ring camera) and one in my bedroom as there is NO reason for them to ever enter my room anyway. I told them that there used to be one in the living room for the pets (one that I can talk through) but I removed it since I didn’t want them to be uncomfortable. They called the cops about the cameras and demanded they have access to them to make sure I’m not lying about the locations and being a creep. Which I understand but could’ve been handled better. I told them i wanted them out by the 1st since they already gave my rent for this month and also it gives them time to find a new place. I told them I would NOT be adding them to the lease. They told me I’m breaking the law and I should’ve added them already upon them moving in (as stated above my lease has a small period of time I don’t have to add them. It’s technically meant for family visiting or friends staying over, but I used it as a trial run for this roommate and I’m glad I did). They demanded my landlords info so they can add themselves so I gave it over to keep the peace. I immediately called my landlord and let them know the situation and i wouldn’t be signing off on them being added. Now finally to get to me asking for legal advice, I’m sorry but I needed to add context. Rn my plan is this: they cannot be added to the lease unless I sign off on it so that won’t happen. They cannot get any mail here because I have a PO Box that I’m assigned and they don’t know it or where it’s at. They were told that I wanted them out by the 1st and if they don’t have anything lined up by that point, oh well. I’m going to call the cops on the 1st and get them removed from the property. They have nothing tying them to this address and would have only been here for 2 weeks and therefore can’t claim squatters rights. I’m afraid to confront them before the 1st.. I work long hours and I’m genuinely scared they’ll do something to my animals or my property. Please help. Will my plan work? How can I make sure to remove them?
