What to do if I came home to locks changed on my residence with no warning or prior conversation?

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What to do if I came home to locks changed on my residence with no warning or prior conversation?

The sheriff’s department responded. They told they landlord that it was illegal and they could not do this. A report was made. My landlord proceeded to try and get a restraining order to have me removed; it was denied. Even with being denied, I was still kept locked out of residence with no means of access. I stayed at a friend’s house and made attempts to make arrangements to retrieve my property. In the meantime I had my mail forwarded to the friend’s house for safety reasons. My landlord then proceeded to say that by my forwarding my mail, I had abandoned the property and so had no legal access to it (I had to forward it as I was still locked out). Is this true?

Asked on December 10, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Maryland

Answers:

FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 11 years ago | Contributor

Given what you have written about due to the unwarranted changing of the locks on your rental you need to consult with a landlord tenant attorney to see what your legal recourse is. From what you have written, your landlord acted improperly.


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