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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
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    4

    Default Tenant's Property Was Removed Without Permission and Taken to an Unknown Location

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

    I found a place on craigslist to move into immediately as it seemed cost efficient and we had a mutual "friend". To make a long story short, the guy I moved in with turned out to be a drug dealer. While visiting home a few weeks back, all of my items were removed from the house and have yet to be seen since (we are talking over 2 weeks) and the roommate who is not the landlord said via text that my items are in a storage unit somewhere in San Diego. The locks were changed and guy is MIA. You can imagine the pain I am going through right now as all my clothes, personal items, surfboards, wetsuit, contact lenses and medicine are gone. I had stuff from my family and buddies currently serving overseas in my room there. I found out by calling all of the storage units in the area where my items are being held as they are under his name. I am praying nothing is damaged but that is highly doubtful

    Rent was paid through the month and I reached out to the guy prior to this 1st to set up movers coming in but there was no response until he said my stuff has been removed. I have everything documented including my outreach to him and his family (which he no longer has contact with). The guy needs help but I need my life back more ! I tried to file a police report but they said it is a civil matter.

    Any guidance would be appreciated !

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
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    Default Re: Tenant's Property Was Removed Without Permission and Taken to an Unknown Location

    Quote Quoting tommyof
    View Post
    While visiting home a few weeks back, all of my items were removed from the house....
    By whom? The guy you were living with?
    Quote Quoting tommyof
    ...and the roommate who is not the landlord said via text that my items are in a storage unit somewhere in San Diego.
    You lived in this unit with the guy from whom you rented the room, and another roommate? How does this other roommate know that your property is in a storage unit, and if he knows that much why can't he tell you where the unit is located?
    Quote Quoting tommyof
    I found out by calling all of the storage units in the area where my items are being held as they are under his name.
    Are you now stating that you know for certain where your property is located?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
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    4

    Default Re: Tenant's Property Was Removed Without Permission and Taken to an Unknown Location

    That is correct, the roommate moved everything without advising me prior. After I had offered to have everything taken out immediately before the full months lease was up (which I have documented with no response till after everything was moved).

    I found out what storage facility everything is in under his name and am scheduled to go there (with a police officer as a witness tomorrow). I am beyond concerned there is damage to my property and curious to know what next steps are, if any.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
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    California
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    20,594

    Default Re: Tenant's Property Was Removed Without Permission and Taken to an Unknown Location

    You sue the person who moved your property if it is damaged.

    How come things were moved? Did you roommate get evicted or otherwise compelled to move out while you were gone?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    38,867

    Default Re: Tenant's Property Was Removed Without Permission and Taken to an Unknown Location

    Quote Quoting tommyof
    View Post
    That is correct, the roommate moved everything without advising me prior. After I had offered to have everything taken out immediately before the full months lease was up (which I have documented with no response till after everything was moved).

    I found out what storage facility everything is in under his name and am scheduled to go there (with a police officer as a witness tomorrow). I am beyond concerned there is damage to my property and curious to know what next steps are, if any.
    What makes you believe youll get into the storage unit? The operator would be a fool to let you in and a cop can't demand entry without a warrant.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Tenant's Property Was Removed Without Permission and Taken to an Unknown Location

    He is honestly a drug addict/dealer which I found out after heading across country and I have no idea why things were moved other than that. We had a mutual friend and I assumed (worst thing one can do) my property would be safe while traveling. I went to file a police report and they said it is a civil case. I also contacted his family that I found online and they said "... has disowned his own family, I am sorry we can be of no help". I have been across country for the 3 weeks and headed there tomorrow. So many items invaluable to me were in that room and now storage including suits for work that I am sure have insects galore on them. I plan on suing and very much appreciate your insight and guidance !

    Quote Quoting jk
    View Post
    What makes you believe youll get into the storage unit? The operator would be a fool to let you in and a cop can't demand entry without a warrant.
    I spoke with the storage company as I have property in there in my name and needed asap. Maybe they have a heart jk

    Is it possible/likely to obtain a warrant to grant me access to the storage facility ? To date I have yet been to it and due to the roommates drug habits, I am concerned there may be drugs planted in the storage unit. Is it recommended I give the police this intel (RAT) and give the address where my property last was/where drugs are being sold? It is also a residence that should not be acting as a business.

    Is anyone on this actually a lawyer or do people just gossip ?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Posts
    672

    Default Re: Tenant's Property Was Removed Without Permission and Taken to an Unknown Location

    I suspect you just eliminated any chance you had for help or advice. You want a lawyer? Pay for one.

  8. #8
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    Sep 2005
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    Default Re: Tenant's Property Was Removed Without Permission and Taken to an Unknown Location

    No kidding. If somebody doesn't understand what facts are relevant to a situation, why it's necessary to state the facts clearly, or why it's necessary for us to know the relevant facts before analyzing a legal situation, that person should certainly think twice before being rude.

    If a private person wants to get access to physical premises to inspect their contents, when the person who owns or controls the premises does not agree, that person is going to need to file a lawsuit and get a court order. For the police to obtain a warrant they would need to establish probable cause that a crime was committed and that the contents of the storage unit are relevant to the crime -- and at this point we have been told that the police have decided it's a civil matter (no crime) and that the OP has no actual information about what is in this specific storage unit. Even if we assume that the owner of the storage unit has a key to the unit, in the absence of a search warrant or court order, the owner should be very reluctant to allow anybody but the person whose property is contained in the unit to enter and poke around.

    Let us know what happens when you visit the union, and try not to be obnoxious about it.

  9. #9

    Default Re: Tenant's Property Was Removed Without Permission and Taken to an Unknown Location

    Quote Quoting tommyof
    View Post
    He is honestly a drug addict/dealer which I found out after heading across country and I have no idea why things were moved other than that. We had a mutual friend and I assumed (worst thing one can do) my property would be safe while traveling. I went to file a police report and they said it is a civil case. I also contacted his family that I found online and they said "... has disowned his own family, I am sorry we can be of no help". I have been across country for the 3 weeks and headed there tomorrow. So many items invaluable to me were in that room and now storage including suits for work that I am sure have insects galore on them. I plan on suing and very much appreciate your insight and guidance !



    I spoke with the storage company as I have property in there in my name and needed asap. Maybe they have a heart jk

    Is it possible/likely to obtain a warrant to grant me access to the storage facility ? To date I have yet been to it and due to the roommates drug habits, I am concerned there may be drugs planted in the storage unit. Is it recommended I give the police this intel (RAT) and give the address where my property last was/where drugs are being sold? It is also a residence that should not be acting as a business.

    Is anyone on this actually a lawyer or do people just gossip ?
    Cracked it. You had weed in a bongo drum. He took your bongo drum. Now you really want that bongo drum back!

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Tenant's Property Was Removed Without Permission and Taken to an Unknown Location

    I was referring to the comment/person that has since been deleted but went ahead and paid for legal help. Thanks

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