Today I went for a status conference in circuit court. Until today I had no clue what the intentions of the tenant are... she has not made house payment since June 1 and has left home abandoned and destroyedShe was to be doing a RTO but refused to sign contract after moving in . We now have a trial date set for October the 3rd. The tenant stated she has moved out of the home and is now homeless although some of her belongings are still in the house. She gave the court a change of address and stated during conference she is not living in home.
Question: as owner do I now have the right to regain possession or am I to leave home abandoned util October I did file a motion to have a sooner court date. I would like to go to home and change locks allowing her to come into the home only when I am there. Is this legal ? Would I be in violation of her tenant rights because her belongings still remain. THere is extensive damage to home damage she states someone did while breaking in "a squatter". So I really need to protect my property. I do plan to hire an attorney; yet, I will not be able to afford to hire one until next month sometimes... by the way she states that she will not return the keys to me (but I can begin cleaning,) until all her belongings are out. The Judge was not at the status conference his legal assistant only... can I store the belongings for her until she picks them up?? The tenant/buyer paid a 2000 down payment on home and this is now the reason for going to court in October to see who gets to keep the down payment.

Lock her out ASAP! If she stated she has abandoned the property, she's relinquished it back to you.