HELP! Short Term Tenant refuses to vacate :-/

Obviously not rented through a property manager. Ring the police! She is squatting. Just be prepared for damages because by the sounds of it she won't be happy moving out.

On a moral level it probably is worth giving your friend an opportunity to find another place to live. 2 weeks is probably a reasonable amount of time. It may also help minimise any further trouble. Use wisdom!

Use a property manager next time!

I agree.  She is squatting.  Why should you pay bills for her out of the kindness of your heart? 

Be very careful and see legal advice. Ring up the tenant union of your state and pretend you are a person in her shoes. Tell them the owner is trying to kick you out and you dont' want to go etc and see what they advise. Then work out ways around this. Also try to be nice just to get her out. Once she is out you can tell her off.

You may even be able to wait until she leaves the building and then just change the locks – but seek legal advice and notify the police beforehand.

For a mth to mth lease, 28 days notice in Victoria – in writing – from her or you. 60 days with a fixed term lease.
If she doesnt pay rent in 14 days from due date, then a notice to evict thereafter.
Avoid police they will tell you it is a civil matter – stupid advise.
Look up landlords rights on govt website for your state.

Good luck

All i can say to this is .. friend or no friend .. you should always run a standard Tenancy Agreement. It not only provides a legal entry clause, but also provides a legal exit clause. There is a reason why people write these nice big wads of legalese on paper. Its to make sure you and your tenant have a leg to stand on should there come to disputes.

As it is .. regardless of the existance of a tenancy agreement or not .. the tenant still falls under the terms of the consumer protections available through the Tenancy Acts in place. This means should you wish to evict her you must issue formal notice through REGISTERED mail of the required amount of days (varies as per state). Please note that registered mail part, it means she must either sign or someone must sign for her on recept of the letter. It also provides evidence that you have sent the letter. RETAIN a copy of all correspondance from this point on, if she was to take you to court it might just save your ass.

If the formal period of notice expires with no response from the tenant then you can go to further measures such as requesting a formal eviction. DO NOT UNDERTAKE STUPID MEASURES. This tenant is in breach of an informal agreement but she still has rights.

If its a matter of moving her as quickly as possible, bribe her with up to a months rent (no more) for moving expenses and transit to a new place. Its not what u wanted, but sometimes money solves complex problems quicker.

Finally friends and money are always a bad mix. Be 100% careful when you cross that line.

be careful with regards to recording phone conversations. When i was going through a nasty divorce i recorded conversations that I had with my ex when he was abusing and threatening me as 'evidence' of his behaviour and attitude to me, his children and the court orders. i was told by my solicitor that unless I had his permission to record the conversations I was breaking the law!

see Telecommunications interception Act.