If my boyfriend is moving my stuff out of our apartment while I’m at work, what can I do about it?
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If my boyfriend is moving my stuff out of our apartment while I’m at work, what can I do about it?
Asked on July 2, 2015 under Real Estate Law, Missouri
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
You can call the police; when you do, tell them that you live there (and if you are a tenant or subtenant--that is, if you pay rent, be SURE to tell them that) and that your boyfriend moved your belongings out when you were at work--that is, if you want back in. The police should make him let you in, since a resident can only be removed by the courts, especially if that resident is a tenant (of the landlord) or subtenant (of the main tenant; e.g. if your boyfriend is the tenant, but you pay him rent, then you'd be his subtenant), since tenants and subtenants may only be evicted through the courts.
If you don't want back in and you are not a tenant, you can just leave. If you don't want back in but are a tenant, contact the landlord, advise them of what happened, and try to work matters out with them to release you from the lease, if they will-you don't want to be obligated to pay rent for a place you are not living.
If any of your belongings were damaged, destroyed, stolen, etc. you an sue your boyfriend for their value; for amounts under the small claims limit, suing in small claims, acting as your own attorney ("pro se") can be a good option.
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