Can my previous landlord keep all my personal belongings?
Question Details: He sent me a 3-day eviction notice when I was in jail so I was not able to pay anything to him. He is also having some other person stay and use all my belongings
Under the laws of all states in this country if a tenant has been evicted by his or her landlord, the landlord is required to allow the tenant to retrieve his or her belongings. The landlord cannot legally keep such belongings owned by the former tenant. If you want your belongings back and the former landlord will not allow you access to them, you need to consult with a family law attorney about the matter.
No, your landlord may NOT keep your personal belongings, even if you were legitimately evicted and even if you owe him money (such as for unpaid rent). To withhold your belongings from you is a form of theft: you can take legal action to recover them as well as to seek compensation for the wrong he's done or the other person's use of your belongings. You can file, for example, a lawsuit in small claims court for the value of the wrongfully taken belongings.
