Can you get locked out of your apartment without any notification?
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Can you get locked out of your apartment without any notification?
About 3 days ago, my mom went to pay my rent because the apartment office is open the hours that I work. They refused because they said they were starting the eviction process. Then, 2 days later, I was stopped by one of the security guards on my way home and he told me there was a dead-bolt on my door and a sticker. I received no notice about this nor any indication that I would be locked out. All they told my mom was that they were starting the eviction process. I plan on having the money either today or the day after tomorrow but I have had to sleep on my mom’s floor for the past 2 days and I have not had access to any of my clothing, groceries or my dog’s food.
Asked on June 20, 2015 under Real Estate Law, Nevada
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 9 years ago | Contributor
No, what you describe is not how evictions work in your state. First, there must be notice posted on your door or given to you from the court, giving you a certain number of days to leave and effectively giving you a chance to contest the eviction in court. Then the lock-out has to be done after the date given in the notice, with the assistance of a sheriff's deputy or other court officer (not just by the landlord). What you have described appears to be an illegal eviction: contact the court clerk's office to ask how to contest an illegal lock-out, and/or contact Legal Services to see if they can help (or retain a private landlord-tenant attorney to assist). Good luck.
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