How can I obtain my personal property at my residence aftermy boyfriend changed the locks?
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How can I obtain my personal property at my residence aftermy boyfriend changed the locks?
My boyfriend kicked me out. I have not had the opportunity to gather my personal property at the resident. The locks have been changed. I am not on the Lease but have lived there for 6 months and been paying rent to him. What are my rights to obtaining my personal property and what do I do if my property is damaged?
Asked on September 7, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Colorado
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
If you were paying rent to your former boyfriend to live in the unit that he kicked you out of, he technically was subleasing the unit to you and he was your landlord. A landlord cannot use self help to evict a tenant. Proper notice such as a thirty (30) day termination notice of the lease must be given to the tenant.
A landlord cannot change the locks of a rental and lock out a tenant until after the tenant has voluntarily left the rental.
What you presumed former boyfriend has done by locking you out of the rental and preventing you from collecting your possessions was improper. You should consider filing a small claims court action against him for wrongful eviction and the loss of your possessions due to the lock out.
Good luck.
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