Moved Out, Left Items and Didn't Pay Rent

[deezwick]

My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: Virginia

I live in the state of Virginia and I am in need of some help.
I had a roommate over a year and we decided to move. the new place we moved in dec. 2011. we both split the prorated rent for the remaining of the Dec. month. Jan first came and the rent was due for the new place. he texted me saying he doesnt get paid till the 6th (friday) and could i cover his half and he will transfer the funds ($445) to my checking acct.

i agreed and paid it. He is NOT on the lease just my name (it is 3 of us living in the dwelling. 2 of us pay half the rent and the third who is my boyfriend covers all the utlities, gas, electric, phone, cable, internet). when the 6th came he texted me saying he has moved out because of my boyfriend posted fb and tweets about him. and told me he will be back sat. or sun. to pick up his belongings. They are still in the room and i have not touched his things.

he has not paid me any form of the Jan except $89 that he said that he was paying for 6 days. I told him if you had an issue with a statement online then u address it to that person, and the entire $445 is due since i paid it for you. i also stated that the issue he was having came after the rent was due so it would have been his choice after to leave or not. At the new place i did not write up the roommate lease to him as of yet so it was all verbal and text messages.

what can i do about him paying me the rest of the money? i changed the locks on the doors, and i am wondering if i can keep his belongings till he pays me the total? please give me advise on this matter. or point me in the right direction to get more info to correct this. THANKS!!

[LawResearcherMissy]

i am wondering if i can keep his belongings till he pays me the total?

Nope.

If you want your money, you'll have to take him to small claims court for it. You have no standing to retain his belongings.

[deezwick]

oh okay. ive heard of people saying if you have changed the locks, then people can get a police escort, but can not come into the dwelling. meaning they would have to wait till the person opens the door or let them in. is this true?