Can my Landlord change my locks ?
LILL
And what did they say when you asked them for the key?
curtisports2
Call the police for an illegal lockout.
Pascal the Gambler
Sure, but he has to give you a key.
William: Illegal lockout. Contact the police. PS
Illegal lockout. Contact the police. PS: This is a basic fact and is true in all 50 states. Check State ()in this case, DC) Landlord-Tenant Laws and they will specify the illegality of locking tenants out. Please consult my comments to "babyboomer" for additional links. In DC, as in the rest of the USA, it is an illegal lockout and subject to police action. https://lsnc.net/housing/my-landlord-wants-evict-me-can-he-lock-me-out-my-home https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/lock-out-tenant-illegal-29799.html https://www.landlordology.com/rules-for-changing-locks/
hillbilly
See an attorney.
Simpson G.
Yes, it is legal, if you’re provided with a key. If you weren’t (i assume you were not), in all states I know of other than Texas, you are also entitled to then hire a locksmith to open the door for you at the landlord’s expense. This is if you are a legal tenant.
Slumlord
Its legal if they give you a key, just ask them.
Simply
if you are not supposed to be there at all, yes they can change the locks as long as they give you a key once it is habitable again. YES SOMETIMES YOU CAN BE THERE WHILE CODE VIOLATIONS ARE BEING ADDRESSED, it depends on what they are. and no he doesn't think you left for good as obviously you still have stuff there. it is not your fault code violations needed to be fixed so they gave you a key and gave access, perfectly legal.
Lolly
Once you have taken out most of your belongings, you have let go some of your leasee rights. But they have to let you collect your items. Call them and make an appointment to pick up your stuff and clean the apartment.
babyboomer1001
Yes, he can. If you are going to "fight" with a landlord, you had better learn Landlord & Tenant laws. You "cannot" be living there while code violations are being brought up to date. The landlord was right about that and allowing you to live there with those repairs going on would land him in big trouble. So, you left with some of your belongings. It sounds like it looked to him like you left for good. That was his belief, which is a reasonable belief under the circumstances. You may be able to obtain the rest of your items and you may be able to move back in. You will have to contact him and ask. Don't give him attitude - what happened is YOUR fault. If he already found another tenant, then you will just have to pay what you owe him and he will give you your stuff back. If he lets you back in, consider yourself lucky.