QUESTION
Can I call the cops on my roommate? How?
Asked on Aug 20th, 2015 on Landlord and Tenant Law - Utah
More details to this question:
I have told my roommate and several of his friends that I didn't want certain people at my house. This weekend he is having a party and there will be underage drinking and I am certain my things will get ruined. I will not be at the house nor be hosting the party in any way. If I were to call the cops will I get in trouble in anyway? And just in case they won't open the doors or something like that is it possible for me to leave my number for the police so that I can open the doors for them? I have told them that if they have a party the police will be called. And they sent threatening text messages. Are the police allowed to kick them out of my house even though everyone will have nowhere to go? (They will be out of town). Thank you.
2 ANSWERS
If they are breaking the law by allowing under-aged drinking, the police, if they receive a complaint or have knowledge, can demand of the people inside that they open the doors and order the party to end because of illegal acts and that people there disburse from the scene of a crime. That the people have no place to go after is not relevant. But whether the police go there or not will depend upon what else they have to do then and how important they consider the drinking. You can call them beforehand; you can also alert the landlord. You need to lock up your property in a room they can not get into. You can sue the roommate for any damage to it.
Answered on Aug 21st, 2015 at 12:11 AM
Lisa Hurtado McDonnell
Sure you can call the police to have someone removed from your rental property. Only the persons on the lease can legally stay. Have a copy of the lease on hand, you will probably have to show it to the police. If the some of guest are drunk and under age, they can and probably will be arrested. Usually the police don't kick the doors down unless there is a threat to their personal safety. They need a warrant if they don't have permission to enter.
Answered on Aug 20th, 2015 at 6:10 PM