My landlord locked me out of my apartment and refused to give me a new key since the lease says I am not entitled to one. A landlord may terminate a tenancy with or without a reason. What if I already lost my eviction case? If they do that, they also need to offer the renter an extra key so the renter can enter the property until the lease ends. Can my landlord change my door lock? I was locked out of my medical practice on July 4th. What is the Texas eviction process normally like? Laws pertaining to lockouts generally make any lease provisions that change the legal requirements of a lockout (such as requiring the tenant to be given a new key) void and unenforceable. Can my landlord legally lock me out? I did talk to her previously a week ago and let her know that I was suppose to be moving today but my new apar … read more. Are courts hearing eviction cases right now? Challenging residents can make your life miserable. Find the best ones near you. IF they legally CAN NOT lock you out how long can you stay before being evicted.I need specific and correct information. Next morning they allowed my reentry. Can I be charged late fees? Answered 8 years ago | Contributor . My landlord locked me out without a court order. Can My Landlord Evict Me During the COVID-19 Pandemic? The landlord cannot change locks, add locks, or keep you from entering the place in any other way. If they signed a lease, and are in default (say for not paying rent), then the landlord can evict them as they would any other tenant in breach of a lease. I am being evicted for not paying rent. Is this legal? Can they still file an eviction case against me? If you have legally occupied an apartment for at least 30 days (with or without a lease), you may not be evicted without a court order awarding a judgment of possession and warrant of eviction against you. (For leases entered into after January 1, 2008, however, it depends on your lease agreement.) Only if it looks like you have stopped paying the rent and moved out without telling the landlord (called "abandoning" the rental), or a sheriff has executed a court order (called a Writ of Restitution) to evict you. Tell her you want your cat. It is illegal. It is a severe step that can have potential legal and business consequences for the landlord and the tenant. I was under the impression that they had to give me a 3 day notice … I’ve had to spend my rent on motels, clothes, food and necessity. A tenant has the right to deny the landlord access, even where allowed by the lease, if the tenant has a valid excuse. What Happens if My Landlord Locks Me Out of My Property and My Stock Goes Off? Even when your tenant isn’t following the rules, there are very few instances where a landlord can lock a resident out legally. Read 1 Answer from lawyers to can a landlord lock up my business and rent it out with all my belongings in it with out me ever being evicted, - Colorado Landlord - Tenant Questions & Answers - Justia Ask a Lawyer There was no notice on the door. To evict a tenant, you must present the tenant with a formal notice to vacate. Show Less. My landlord locked me out without any notice. If a landlord tries to get you out by shutting off water, heat or electricity that is a shut-off and is also illegal. Senior Litigation Counsel. Before a landlord can go to court to remove a tenant, the tenancy must be terminated. I'll bet that includes your pets. Can my landlord lock me out of a medical office where medical records are stored when the rent is only one month late? Not so fast. The good news is that the recently-passed CARES Act imposes a moratorium (pause) on evictions due to non-payment of rent or other charges. A landlord may attempt to harass or intimidate a tenant as a form of retaliation or to get the tenant to move out. Under normal circumstances, most commercial landlords faced with a non-paying tenant simply file a summary dispossess action, quickly obtain a judgment for possession and avoid the risks inherent in taking the law into their own hands. i gave 30 day notice at my sublet rental (i am not on lease) to my housemate, with whom my agreement was made. When a situation reaches its breaking point, you may feel the urge to simply rekey your property, say good riddance and find a better tenant. A landlord changes the locks without cause. Can My Landlord Force Me To Move? A landlord may evict a tenant for many reasons, but they must go through the proper legal channels and give the tenant a 30-day notice. The rent for June was not paid but I told the landlord that I was having health issues. What Are Ways I Can Notify The Landlord Of My Complaints? I own a small business and I fell behind on my rent. Find a lawyer near you. Learn when a landlord’s actions are harassment, when the actions are legal and what a tenant can do about it. Does my landlord have to take any special steps to evict me? Freezing Out Tenants . I have an apartment manager who is threatening to lock me out due to non payment of rent. She is out of town now and every day I try to retrieve my things! I got home about 8 pm, called the after hours number. A10: If no “Eviction Order” has been issued by the Tribunal, no. This is your chance to get on top of the situation, so you can continue running your business. Liz Reed Hawk says. (f) If a landlord or a landlord's agent changes the door lock of a tenant who is delinquent in paying rent, the landlord or agent must place a written notice on the tenant's front door stating the name and the address or telephone number of the individual or company from which the new key may be obtained.