Should I pay difficult lodger to leave?

Just giver her notice to leave.

Normally, you’d give notice equivalent to one rent period. So, that’s a month’s notice if she lays rent monthly.

Please tell her to leave the animals with you as she is not fit to be an owner.

To me, it’s absolutely clear I would buy her out to get her out instantly. If it’s only going to cost you, two months rent that sounds good. I’ve done it before and it always works sadly.

Not sure about Scotland however.
If Engkand and it appears she lives in 'sharing a major facility such as kitchen or bathroom' then, she basically has no rights.
She is not on a protected tenancy.
A couple of days notice us sufficient

From the official government website -

Your lodger's tenancy type

The way you share your home with a lodger affects what kind of tenancy they have. This in turn affects their rights and how you can end the tenancy.

Your lodger is an excluded occupier
Your lodger is likely to be an excluded occupier if -

they live in your home
you or a member of your family share a kitchen, bathroom or living room with them
In this case, you only have to give them ‘reasonable notice’ to end the letting - and you will not have to go to court to evict them.

Reasonable notice usually means the length of the rental payment period. For example, if rent is paid monthly, you should give one month’s notice.

Your lodger has basic protection
Your lodger is likely to be an occupier with basic protection if: -

they live in your home
they do not share any living space with you or your family
If your lodger will not leave when you ask them, you’ll need to get a court order to evict them.

https://scotland.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/eviction/resident_landlord

This is a link to Shelter's advice to tenants being evicted, in Scotland. Although their aim is always to help tenants avoid eviction however justified, lodgers don't have nearly as many rights as tenants, and you should give her 28 days notice to leave, in writing, after which you don't require to go to court, and the Police can be asked to expel her if she doesn't leave. Under no circumstances should you reward this disrespectful entitled fraudster by paying her to leave. Check the Scottish Government website as well as Citizens Advice, just to make sure you do everything by the book, but she needs to leave your home ASAP.

Reply to the comment left by Ross Tulloch at 01/10/2024 - 10:22
A lodger agreement is not the same as an AST.
Only need 1 months notice, end of.
No going to court etc etc

Most people are suggesting the notice periods either for 'normal' termination of a lodger agreement or that for a tenancy. Neither is applicable in this case.
One of these two is:
"If you’re experiencing a serious dispute with your lodger, which involves violence, or you believe there is an imminent threat of violence, you should contact the police and the lodger agreement should end immediately. If your lodger refuses to leave, the police should assist." I'm pretty certain a (recorded) heated discussion with her would provide evidence of a potential threat.
"Depending on how inappropriate your lodger’s behavior has been, depending on how serious the matter, you can still serve notice with 24hrs to a week’s notice. Make sure you always serve a written notice though, explaining your reasons for the short notice. Keep a copy for your own records, and make sure both are dated and signed"
https://www.lodgerguide.co.uk/evicting-a-problematic-lodger/
"Immediate" means "Immediate". You can wait until they have gone to the shops and change the lock. When they return you can either hand them any belongings or leave them on the street. You do not have the responsibilities that a landlord has.
If you evicted her before her current rental period had ended, personally I would refund the outstanding amount. If you can justify keeping the deposit to cover damage, then do so.
Bear in mind that of you have given her an agreement, it doesn't matter if she didn't sign it, it only matters whether you signed it: she can sign it and backdate her signature whenever she wants. However, as a lodger living in your own home, the top two paragraphs are deemed to trump any legal agreement. No-one can be made to feel unsafe in their own home.

Reply to the comment left by Steve Rose at 01/10/2024 - 11:55
Apologies, I missed the bit where you said you were in Scotland.
Under Scottish law, yes, you will need a court order unless she agrees to leave, and the "immediate" eviction route could see you prosecuted.
So yes, pay her to leave.

You have my sympathy Emily.

Whilst it is tempting to pay her off, what if her new Landlord seeks a reference from you?

Good luck.