Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California
paid rent and 15 days later was locked out
I rented a room from a woman who was renting a house. On March 1 I moved in and paid her $1200 (rent and security deposit). On March 15 she took all of my things out of the house, piled them into the garage, and changed the locks. I called the sherrif for help but he told me that because I had not signed a lease agreement I had no rights. Is this right? I ask him to write a report but he siad no crime was committed so he would not. I then told the sherriff that the woman asaulted me and invaded my privacy and i wanted to file charges. I told him my webcam had recorded her going through my belongings in my room and her assault on me. I also showed him the busted door jam where she kicked in my locked door to get to me. But the sherriff would not respond to this. Instead he made us agree to the following: I was to come back in 2 days with a truck to take all of my things out of the house and at that point she was to give me back the $1200 i had paid her. I moved my things as i said i would but the woman has not given me a dime back. Small claims court will take care of my rent money and the damage to my furniture, but can still file charges for something that happened over two weeks ago? And do i have to deal with the same sherriff?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: paid rent and 15 days later was locked out
Something is missing here. I am assuming you had a relationship with the woman, which turned sour.
Bottom line! Without more information as to why things happened, I cannot help you.
You do not need a written lease.
The sheriff does not practice landlord tenant law.
You can sue for the money, and anything else you want to sue for over two weeks ago.
I don't know where you live, so I cannot guess at the number of sheriffs in your area.
Re: paid rent and 15 days later was locked out
Something is missing here. I am assuming you had a relationship with the woman, which turned sour.
Bottom line! Without more information as to why things happened, I cannot help you.
You do not need a written lease.
The sheriff does not practice landlord tenant law.
You can sue for the money, and anything else you want to sue for over two weeks ago.
I don't know where you live, so I cannot guess at the number of sheriffs in your area.
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