2007-02-05 06:15:42 · 11 answers · asked by ? 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
The short answer is NO - A landlord cannot change the locks until AFTER your legal eviction. In most states, locking a tenant out, forceful removal of the tenant's property, turning off the power, turning off the gas, turning off the water, turning off phone, even cable or internet, is illegal. Any utility, in your name or the landlords name, cannot be shut off if you use it. I won in civil court against a former landlord for turning off the cable tv and internet during a payment dispute since I was able to prove I paid.
Get a landlord/tenant dispute attorney.
2007-02-05 06:36:35 · answer #1 · answered by sovereign_carrie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not. That is an illegal eviction. Only the police can evict you. Find a good real estate lawyer and sue your landlord for all the rent you have paid and would have paid, plus court costs and some damage money as well. Laws are in place to protect tenants from crooked landlords. I believe you have to owe months and months of rent before they can even begin eviction proceedings, and STILL they shouldn't be able to lock you out.
I'm not very litigious, but I think you have a strong case to sue.
Good luck.
2007-02-05 06:38:49 · answer #2 · answered by Year of the Monkey 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. In most states it is illegal to lock a tenant out of his/her home with out a court order. If this has happened to you, call the police and tell them what has happened. If your landlord/manager lives there also, he/she will have to show proof to the police that a court order was obtained. If there is no court order, then the police will either tell the manager to let you in, or they will open your home for you. Your landlord could go to jail for locking you out without a court order.
2007-02-05 06:25:51 · answer #3 · answered by Lovemychi 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In Texas no. My dad's an apartment manager 20 yrs. Court first, A 3day eviction notice . show up for court and give good reason why rent is not paid . Judge can give up to 30 days for you to get out. or landlord can give you another chance.GOD BLESS Hope it workS
2007-02-05 06:24:33 · answer #4 · answered by TCC Revolution 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
well actually it depends on the state/province you live in and it is not supposed to be done here in missouri but some of the shaier landloords do get by with it from time to time so if its already happened to you you are probably beat.
2007-02-05 06:20:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
not without posting notice as required by the laws of your state ( lease agreement or not - unless it was a weekly rental ( in some states )
2007-02-05 06:18:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, if you have a legally contracted tenancy agreement.The law is very strict on protecting tenance but only if you have a written tenancy agreement.
2007-02-05 06:20:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No matter what they have to give you 30 days if they want to evict you. It must be something notorized, otherwise that is very illegal. Good luck!
2007-02-05 06:21:31 · answer #8 · answered by Audee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depends on your agreement. Not usually can they unless your back rent is duethan again each state is diffrent
2007-02-05 06:21:28 · answer #9 · answered by pun82224 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on your lease agreement.
2007-02-05 06:18:00 · answer #10 · answered by emscrazy001 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋