What to do if I am currently in the process of moving out of my rental but can’t get my belongings out?
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What to do if I am currently in the process of moving out of my rental but can’t get my belongings out?
We were in the process of moving out of the upstaris unit that we rented in a house and now our landlord has changed the locks. Now I cannot finish getting the rest of my belongings. I currently owe $600 for the month but we don’t feel that we should have to pay because he hasn’t made repairs to a room that leaks and has mold. He was informed of this issue almost a year ago. What legal rights do I have to get my things out of the house? By the way, we have never signed a lease agreement and am not sure he is even a licensed landlord in the state.
Asked on May 27, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Minnesota
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
There are a whole lot of issues here. First, the proper method of getting him to fix things if he is not responsive is to take him to landlord tenant court and to ask the court to allow you to deposit the rent in to court and to abate (reduce) the rental amount. Withholding rent is generally not allowed. Next, the landord can not change the locks on your dwelling unless he has an order of eviction. Time to go to court for help but be prepared to have to pay back rent. Good luck.
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