Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Pennsylvania

I'm currently in the process of moving out of my boyfriends home, that he owns, but we have both lived in for the last 4 yrs. He came home while I was dropping off a load of my stuff, he changed the locks and would not let me back in to finish moving. My question is, can I legally break into the house or have a locksmith come to let me on when he is not there? Or do I need to file a motion for replevin? Please advise.


Asked on 8/31/14, 3:31 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
ANDREA G. TILLIS Law Offices of Andrea G. Tillis

If you have lived there for 4 years that is considered your residence and your boyfriend is considered your landlord under the law. As such, he cannot lock you out. Your best bet and so that he cannot claim you damaged the new locks he placed on the door, is to call a locksmith who can unlock the door without damaging the lock. You have every right to be there and if your boyfriend does not want you to live there any more, he is required to go through formal eviction proceedings, he cannot just lock you out.

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Answered on 9/03/14, 8:16 pm


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