Landlord has removed things from my unit without my consent
Has the landlord removed personal property, furnishings, or any other items without the prior written consent of the tenant?
Your landlord does not have the right to remove your personal belongings, change your locks, or even be in your unit without notice. (If you are currently experiencing a lockout or think you will be, please go to lockouts).
First, you can write a letter asking for your things back, citing your rights, and documenting:
- What happened
- When it happened, and
- What items were removed from your property (you can use pictures as documentation as well)
Your landlord removing personal items is a violation of California Civil Code 789.3, as well as a violation of the Oakland Tenant Protection Ordinance (Am I covered under the Oakland Tenant Protection Ordinance?). You can enforce these rights with written letters to the landlord.
Once you write your letter, you can give your landlord some time to respond and contact us.
If you decide to go through small claims, get legal help to find a legal provider. Even if small claims court is meant to be people friendly and does not require a lawyer present, it’s always good to review your case with a legal provider to ensure you’ve got everything covered.