This is true, if she refused to leave then you would have to file eviction papers. If she is jobless, how is she going to pay the rent? I personally wouldn't even go there.

I would politely tell her, "No".

Say no. If some others in the family don't like it, tell them they can take her in. Also, there must be a (bad?) reason she is so secretive about her current living arrangements. That should be warning enough for you to say no to this woman.

NO. Simple, two little words.......I know, not so simple to say sometimes, but seriously ? Moving into your house?? NO!

Tell her no, that you don't have room in the basement for her or the dog. Of course, you would like to help, but maybe you could help by asking one of those relatives to take her in.

I think something's very odd there. She won't tell you where she's living? Perhaps she's already homeless. Then why not say so? Perhaps she's on the run from the law?

She'll have money from selling her house, so perhaps she can show a landlord her bank balance and rent a small place of her own. Or maybe she can rent a room from someone else who's out of work and looking for income.

Welllll.......do you have a legal apartment in your basement? (with bathroom, exterior exit, legal size windows that this person could fit thru)? Maye an easy way out is to state that your basement does not meet REGS for an apartment......

Do you get the idea that you are supposed to say NO. Sorry for her situation, but you just aren't able to help her out. (Good since hubby agrees as well) And if the relatives give you grief, I agree with the other posts, ask THEM why THEY haven't invited her to live with THEM.

I don't think you should even feel obligated to give her a reason beyond it just won't work. She'll see reasons as excuses and either try to argue with you, or twist those reasons around when she tells others about this. (and she WILL tell others) The less said on your part, the better.

"I'm sorry for your situation, but it just won't be possible for you to stay here." Repeat as needed

After going through similar situations I have finally learned to say no! The uneasyness you will feel about saying no is nothing compared to the frustration you will feel if you say yes.

Absolutely nothing stops some people from asking for anything, and I am constantly amazed by how many people let those ridiculous requests throw them for a loop. NO is the only
reasonable answer.
Perhaps she should take on a renter or two and hold on to her house and help out a few other folks who share her circumstance.. doesn't that put the responsibility back where it belongs?

After a person (family member) lived with us 6 months..we decided to tell them ,as they were moving out, that they could not come back.(they fly back and forth on a 6 month visa)
We relished our time alone and with joe's hours, we just didn't have much of that anymore. Besides, they both chain-smoked, and it drove my husband nuts..it came up through the vents. and his clothes smelled like ciggys.joe never smoked, and i smoke a little bit, but i smoke outside,even in the winter if i wanted one bad enough.
My utilities doubled..we bought a smoke eater for the basement but they didn't want to use it,because it was to noisey. I hired an electrician, and had it hardwired to the outlet, and took off the knob, so they couldn't turn it off.
right then and there, i told everyone that "if i ain't sleeping with ya, you can't live with me!" ROFL
we also got rid of the spare bed and got an aero bed, for when my kids come home to visit, from texas and florida.
that was 2 years ago. we just rescently got a full size bed, in an empty room that my grandson uses when i babysit.
just be honest with her..live is too short to do things you don't have to do, because others will judge you. Who cares what they think..they don't have to live with her! Kim