What to do if I moved in with a friend for a few months and when I moved out the landlord changed the locks before I could move my stuff?

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What to do if I moved in with a friend for a few months and when I moved out the landlord changed the locks before I could move my stuff?

He said that my friend owes him back rent and that I cannot get any of my stuff until she pays. I paid the rent for the months that I lived there. What can I do?

Asked on January 28, 2013 under Real Estate Law, Georgia

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 11 years ago | Contributor

You can bring a legal action against the landlord seeking both or either of 1) a court order requiring the landlord to allow you to retrieve your belongings and/or 2) monetary compensation, either for any belongings you cannot recover or for any costs you have incurred (such as the cost of buying new clothing because you cannot access the clothing in the unit). Regardless of whether or not your friend owes rent to the landlord or not, the landlord has NO legal right to withhold the belongings of any persons living in the unit.


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