I rented a house for a year. Upon the expiration of my lease the landlords told me I did not need to sign a new lease. I stayed in the house for another six months and gained a roommate. The landlords did not have a problem with the roommate and everything was fine. All of the utilities are still in my name and I have been living somewhere else for 6 months now. My old roommate has slandered my name, refused to give me all of my stuff, and I have not received my deposit back. The locks have been changed and my things are being stored in a double locked basement. He allowed his dog to defecate on my clothes and other belongings as well as chewing things up, essentially ruining them. He now locks his dog in the basement where all of my things are. He also did significant damage to my furniture. I have made arrangements with him 4 separate times to get my things and each time he has failed to be at the property. The last time we sent numerous emails ensuring that he would be there. When I showed up to move my things he sent me a text saying he was in birmingham and wouldn't be there. What kind of legal action can I take to get my things back? Oh and the utilities are still in my name. I have scheduled all of them to be cut off on tuesday b/c he has not paid them in a month and a half. I am going to have to pay the bills. I am filing for a writ of assistance on tuesday, but i don't know exactly what my rights are.

