What canI do to recover my personal belongings?
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What canI do to recover my personal belongings?
I had a house fire 3 months ago. We were under a month-to-month lease. Upon trying to contact my landlord for a month and a half, I came back to retrieve my property. The house was still smoke damaged. He had unlocked my door and gave my possessions to the neighbor in apartment B. I called the police to retrieve these items and they returned them to my apartment. Upon going to get my items the landlord refused me entry to get my things. What can I do now?
Asked on February 9, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
What is the reason he has refused you entry to the house? I think that you should speak with an attorney here on this matter. You could call the police again to help you gain entry but I am not sure that they would come. Does your landlord blame you for the fire? Is it now that he is out the rent? Has he put in an insurance claim for the fire (and yo should include your damages as well)? A lot needs to be sorted out here and more information needed to give any guidance and direction. He can not keep your things. That is the bottom line. It would be conversion under the law. Good luck to you.
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