What can I do if my boyfriend changed the locks on the house and has kept my things?

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What can I do if my boyfriend changed the locks on the house and has kept my things?

We lived together for 6 years; now he says that I owe rent. He has had furniture etc. for over a year. I have many receipts for items purchased before living together. Value about 3-4k but many sentimental items. He may damage items for revenge. I have limited funds, but do not qualify for discounted services.

Asked on July 7, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Florida

Answers:

M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

I am so sorry for your situation.  Your ex boyfriend has no right to keep your things or to lock you out.  If you "owe rent" then he is considering you a tenant of some sort and then he has to properly evict you from the house in order to change the locks.  And keeping your things is known as "conversion" of property.  So you have to decide how you want to handle things.  Either as a landlord tenant issue or as a small claims issue.  If he owns a house then he has property to go against (an asset) in the event that you get a judgement against him.  You may want to sue for conversion and a money judgement.  Small claims does not usually allow you to sue for things like return of the items but it may come as a result of a settlement.  Good luck to you.


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