View Full Version : Roommate Legal Rights
AngelaWoo
Feb 13, 2013, 12:44 PM
I moved in with a Friend For 4weeks, there was no rental agreement made. Just Verbal. I Decided to Move out after finding out we couldn't live together *Depute* I Was off for a weekend at my Boyfriends House at the time, came home and stayed at my other friends because my car was at her apartment and I Didn't have the funds to go get my things to move. Its been 3 weeks of me trying to get her to let me in the apartment to get my things *laptop, Clothes and Important Diabetic Meds* She refuses and makes up excuses, is there anyway I Can legally make her let me in there to get my things? I have no furniture there all I want is my Clothes and personal things. Please help.. Thank You
AK lawyer
Feb 13, 2013, 01:28 PM
It's a difficult situation.
You could argue that you are a tenant, the roommate is a landlord, and that therefore she is prohibited from locking you out under the wrongful ouster provisions of most landlord/ tenant acts. You could perhaps talk the police into going with you to the premises and talking her into letting you get your stuff. The problem is that the police might very well say "It's a civil matter; we can't get involved". In that case you would have to sue in court for replevin.
ScottGem
Feb 13, 2013, 02:39 PM
Do you have any proof you lived there? I agree with AK, the short time you lived there may not qualify as a wrongful ouster. On the other hand, if you can prove you have "things" there, she is illegally holding then hostage so you might get the police to help. Tell the police that you were staying with her and she is no trying to steal your stuff.. Otherwise you have to go to court to get a court order to return them.
joypulv
Feb 13, 2013, 05:32 PM
Just wondering - did the verbal agreement include paying something for rent and utilities? Is she holding your stuff for rent? We don't know what the verbal agreement was. What was the time span between the day you moved in and the day you came back to get your stuff? I would assume that you owe for that time. Changing your mind doesn't get a free trial.