Can a landlord board up your apartment? Without notice?

Question

A friend came home and his apt. was boarded up. I believe he is behind in rent. But does the landlord have a right to board up and keep his belongings. What rights does my friend have as a tenant?

Answer 1

I don't believe he can legally do that without a court order. My step-father owns a couple of rental properties. And when someone is behind on their rent even if they are really behind he has to go through all this legal garbage before he can do anything. And even with a court order for their eviction then he has to get a sheriff to remove them from the apartment if they still aren't moved out by the date that the judge orders them too. The whole process is long, expensive, and stressful for the landlord. That is probably why that person's landlord is just trying to get them out by boarding up the place. They should call the police and have them deal with it. Good luck to your friend.

Answer 2

In the US, the answer is absolutely NO. (Outside the US, it is done all the time). In the US, you have to be served with eviction notice before the Landlord can take further action. I have seen a property boarded up after it was raided by the police for illegal activity. But the tenants ended up in jail.

Answer 3

unless the landlord has a court order to do so then what he did is illegal,even if your friend owes him rent.your friend can now sue him in court for any damage or missing property providing he can prove he had those items.he can take his landlord into tenant court and the judge will give an oder for the release of his thing,but know this if any damage has been done to apt.

Answer 4

A landlord has to go through an eviction process and cannot change locks or prevent the tennant from entering the premises.

Regards