Is a live-in girlfriend permitted to give consent to search a house?

A live-in girlfriend can indeed give consent to search a house if she has access to the space because consent for a search can be provided by individuals who have common authority over the property. This principle is based on the idea that those who have joint control over a premises can authorize law enforcement to enter and conduct a search. In this context, access implies an understanding or relationship with the property that suggests she has the authority to permit entry.

This situation reflects the broader legal context surrounding consent and property rights, where individuals who reside in a space are often deemed to have a certain level of authority over it. Therefore, if a live-in girlfriend has the ability to access and use the space freely, her consent would generally be valid and recognized in legal terms.