What are my rights if my ex-boyfriend who is still on mortgage/title entered the house and stole some of my furniture?
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What are my rights if my ex-boyfriend who is still on mortgage/title entered the house and stole some of my furniture?
My ex-boyfriend is on title and mortgage of my house and I forgot that he still has a key. We are refinancing the house to remove his name and he will receive a buyout from me. He has been to the house 2 times since he moved out 7.5 months ago – once to remove his items from the house and once to remove items from the garage (the second time being 5 months ago). He recently found out I was out of town and entered the house with the key. He removed some of the furniture he had previously agreed to let me keep. He was never to use that key without my knowledge/permission as I have 2 roommates.
Asked on December 13, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Illinois
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
If your former boyfriend entered the house that your are living in where he and you are still on title to it where your own furniture was stolen, you have the following options:
1. make a police report about the theft;
2. make a demand upon him for the return of the furniture;
3. if the furniture is not returned after a reasonable time after the demand, your option is to bring a civil action against him for the fair market value of the furniture taken.
You cannot use the threat of a criminal matter to gain leverage in a civil action.
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