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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Posts
    3

    Default Ex-Roommate Refuses To Give Back Personal Porperty

    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.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Ex-Roommate Refuses To Give Back Personal Porperty

    Landlord-tenant laws are different in each state, and as you chose not to follow the instruction to identify your state we don't know exactly what your rights are, either.

    Did your roommate enter into a new lease with your landlord, or is your roommate simply staying on as a subtenant? If it's the former, ask your landlord to return your security deposit. If it's the latter, make sure your landlord knows that you are to get your deposit back at the end of the lease term.

    If you remain on the lease, and have not formally subleased the house, consider trying to get help from your landlord to access the basement and recover your belongings.

    You can sue your ex-roommate in small claims court for the unpaid utilities and any damage to your belongings. If all else fails, sue for the value of your belongings as that may inspire your roommate to cooperate with your recovering them.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Posts
    3

    Default Re: Ex-Roommate Refuses To Give Back Personal Porperty

    I am so sorry, I thought i said I live in Alabama. I am not on the lease and I am fairly sure that my old roommate signed a new lease with my old landlords. My landlords will not return my call b/c my old roommate has told thema bunch of lies. This has gotten extremely messy and I really just want my things back. I will pay the power bill and accept the damaged property. Everything I have had since I was a child is in that house including my car title. I have all of the emails where we made arrangements for me to come and get my stuff.

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