Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Missouri

landlord stealing

hi,

our landlord stole all of our personal property from our rental house of which we were late on rent. he has placed it in a storage building and is holding it hostage for back rent. Can he legally do this? thanks


Asked on 2/12/07, 9:56 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Anthony DeWitt Bartimus, Frickleton Robertson & Gorny, PC

Re: landlord stealing

Unless your lease gives him that right, no. He has committed the tort of "conversion." You can sue him in small claims court for the maximum of $3,000.00, but you may not get an order for return of the goods. I suspect you need to hire an attorney to file a damages action and a writ of replevin for your goods.

If you have not already filed a police report for theft, you should consider doing that too. Although it is doubtful the prosecutor will get involved, at the very least it shows your intent to get back your goods.

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Answered on 2/12/07, 10:21 am


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