Roommate Move Out Without Notice, Left a Few Belongings
My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: California
My friend and I moved to Sacramento mid-July. I got us an apartment with the lease only in my name as he hadn't found work yet and the plan was once he found work to add him to the lease. While he looked for work I covered all expenses, rent, utilities and miscellaneous items like toilet paper, groceries, etc. We had agreed that rent and utilities would be split 50/50 and that once he found work he would pay me back for the expenses. 4 weeks after we moved here he got a job and his entire first paycheck with the exception of about 40-50$ went to me for bills. On September 4th we got into an argument, 10 days later he moved all of his belongings out with the exception of his bed, tv stand, tv, fan, suitcases and one bag of clothes. I have since asked for him to sign or give me a 30 day notice, return of my keys and what his plans for repayment are. Because he moved out he feels that he doesn't owe me anything so in regards to the money it looks like we will be going to small claims court. With that though, I'm not sure how far I can charge with rent as he has still yet to give me an official notice (though I am counting the day he moved his belongings as the beginning of his 30 day notice). My question is when can I change the locks on my apartment as he won't give me a date as to when he will get the rest of his belongings? I believe he plans on leaving his stuff here till January when his new living situation gets a new house and he has a place to put it. I just don't feel comfortable being his storage and him having access to my apartment when we are not on good terms. I am getting ready to write up a property abandonment letter but even with that I have to give him a deadline 15-18 days out to reclaim his property and I want to change the locks much sooner than that.
Re: Roommate Move Out Without Notice, Left a Few Belongings
How about getting him to confirm in writing (even if by email) that he has abandoned the premises and has no plan to move back in and, if he won't return the keys, then getting your landlord's permission to change the locks? Has he indicated instead that he intends to try to move back in?
Re: Roommate Move Out Without Notice, Left a Few Belongings
I have been corresponding via Facebook with him and he is not moving back in. He won't return the keys because his bed is here and he wants to be able to reclaim them but he won't give me a date as to when he will be retrieving the larger items he left. I believe he left them because he has nowhere else to put them. He hasnt needed his bed because he moved in with his "boyfriend" and they have just been sharing the bed therefore using me as a "storage" since he took everything that he actually needs/uses.
Re: Roommate Move Out Without Notice, Left a Few Belongings
I guess my concern is if I change the locks before he gets the rest of his belongings, (even though he's technically no longer living here and refuses to give me a set date as to when he is going to retrieve them), is if there can be any legal ramifications that could come from it? I'm trying to follow the law and his rights the best that I can since I intend to take him to small claims.
Re: Roommate Move Out Without Notice, Left a Few Belongings
You just told us that you have written confirmation from him that he has permanently abandoned the unit and will not be moving back in. If that doesn't give you sufficient confidence that he's in fact not moving back in, I'm not sure what we can say that is going to reassure you.
Re: Roommate Move Out Without Notice, Left a Few Belongings
ok, I just wasn't sure due to the property that he left. I know there are some strict limitations when it comes to "locking out a roommate" and I wasn't sure if that would constitute due to the belongings and his intentions of returning to get them. Thanks for your help!