We had lived in this house for about 4 years, initially with a one year lease, which was never renewed. My husband and I shared the dwelling with another tenant, and had been staying somewhere else for quite some time, nearly a year. However, we still shared the rent with the other tenant and kept our possessions there. My husband had fallen ill and was in a coma for over a month, during which time we got behind on one month's rent. A few months later, the other tenant was no longer able to make his rental payments, so we informed the landlord that we would all be moving, as we were unable to meet our financial obligations or pay the rent. Altogether, we were then three months behind. The landlady said to just have our stuff out by the first of the next month, to which we readily agreed. However, when we returned to move our stuff out (the weekend before the first), the entire house was empty and we were informed that everything had been burnt. This included not only the things inside the house, but also vehicles; an RV and a horse drawn buggy, among other things. This happened without us ever receiving any kind of notice whatsoever, although her husband did say that he told a guy who worked across the road to let us know that the stuff had to be out by the previous weekend. I realize we did owe them money, but I have to say that we suffered incredible losses that far exceeded what was owed, at least in my opinion. Virtually everything I owned was in that house; things that I had had my whole life; the only existing photos of my daughter's child that she lost; ten years worth of journals; not to mention the jewelry, clothing, and household goods. Not a day goes by that I don't realize something else that was lost. In my heart, I don't believe they really burnt all that stuff... I cannot imagine that anyone would! There was never any eviction proceedings or anything of the sort, but we did owe a little over two thousand dollars for three month's rent. Should I sue these people, and would it do me any good?

You need to be able to prove that there was an agreement to vacate on a specific date. You will also need to be able to prove the inventory of your possessions. But with proof you can sue.

The landlord may countersue for back rent.

Well to be honest, had not lived there for a year ? You should have had the stuff out long before.

And esp being 3 months late.

But no they can not just get rid of property, you can sue them for the value, they will counter sue for the rental value.

Agree with Scott. You need to be able to show that you had until the first to vacate by agreement and you need to be able to prove what you had.

Also agree that you put the landlord in a difficult situation.

Sounds like not enough communication on both sides. To me it sounds like they didn't think you were coming back.

Sorry things have been so difficult for you. I hope things look up soon.