An Education - the hard way

Over the past week I have helped a Richland County homeowner who took in a homeless couple. Now he can't get them out.

The couple has five kids; 9, 8, 4, 5 months, 3 weeks. His and hers. The homeowner felt sorry for them after they got kicked out of their prior housing (hotel? motel?) and didn't want the seven to have to live in their car.

Here's the Warning: if you take someone into your home, even if they don't pay rent, you become a Landlord and they become your Tenants. As Tenants, they acquire property rights to your house.

To get them out, you will have to evict them. And the courts are closed.

So you are stuck.

Before you make any similar offer, call your lawyer. Understand your rights before you make a decision.

Unfair? It doesn't matter whether you think this is unfair. You'll be stuck as a victim of South Carolina law.

You might ask yourself: "Who makes dumb laws like these?" Call your State Rep or Senator, and ask his or her viewpoint on this law. If you don't like that viewpoint, there is an election coming up.

Vote 'em out.