Can a live-in girlfriend give consent to search the house?

A live-in girlfriend can give consent to search the house because, in general, individuals who have joint access and control over a property can provide that consent to law enforcement. The law recognizes that someone living in the household has sufficient authority to agree to a search, assuming there are no disputes over the right to consent. This consent does not require her to be a legal owner of the property; mutual access and a reasonable belief that she can consent are sufficient.

In scenarios involving consent, the primary consideration is whether the consenting party has the authority to give such permission, which is often determined by their relationship to the property and the individuals living there. Therefore, if she has been living there and has a reasonable expectation of privacy and control over the space, her consent is valid.