Can I file a lawsuit?

[baddosully]

I have squatted in a house for 4 years now (in Dallas, Texas). I was living with the deceased owners son in the house for 2 months and then he was sent to jail for 20 years and i have lived there ever since. I have no lease in place so I haven't been paying any rent (also $17k in back taxes owed and pending tax foreclosure. The heirs decided to sell and want me out. I requested cash for keys ($3000, which they said was too much) and denied them entry every time they asked to come in for an inspection (so they can see the homes conditions). They sent a 30 day notice to vacate (expires 2/28) with plans to file an eviction right after.

I have started moving my things gradually and now stay with my boyfriend but have not fully moved out yet. I got to the house yesterday and notice that they change the locks, put a no trespassing sign on the yard and contact info of the owner (to get in touch with and coordinate getting the rest of my stuff out. I still have some things in there.

Can i file a lawsuit against them for wrongful eviction? and how much can i get them for? Can i call the police to let me back in?

 

[adjusterjack]

Can i file a lawsuit against them for wrongful eviction?

Sure.

And they can defend based on you allegedly abandoning the property and they can move forward with eviction and seek a writ of possession so they dispose of what you left in the house. You can spend months and thousands on litigation and still not get back into the house and there's no guarantee that you'll win a nickel.

Can i call the police to let me back in?

That might be a better idea as long as you have documentation that it was your residence (utility bills, etc). Just make sure you are prepared to move the rest of your stuff out in one trip because the police aren't likely to help more than once.

And, by the way, since they are willing to coordinate with you to get the rest of your stuff, you probably have no case for wrongful eviction or any need for calling the police.

Use a little common sense and call up and arrange to get your stuff. You haven't won the lawsuit lottery. And you've had a free ride long enough.

 

[Zigner]

As a side note, your decision to refuse them entry was improper. I haven't (and won't) spent time researching, but it's quite possible they could have evicted you much sooner than 30 days based on your actions.

 

[baddosully]

Sure.

And they can defend based on you allegedly abandoning the property and they can move forward with eviction and seek a writ of possession so they dispose of what you left in the house. You can spend months and thousands on litigation and still not get back into the house and there's no guarantee that you'll win a nickel.



That might be a better idea as long as you have documentation that it was your residence (utility bills, etc). Just make sure you are prepared to move the rest of your stuff out in one trip because the police aren't likely to help more than once.

Thanks so much for responding... Cant i just break in to the house and get my stuff out? If i call the police will they let me in and also let me stay in if i'm not ready to remove the rest of my stuff?

 

[quincy]

Thanks so much for responding... Cant i just break in to the house and get my stuff out? If i call the police will they let me in and also let me stay in if i'm not ready to remove the rest of my stuff?

No. You should not break into the house.

 

[baddosully]

As a side note, your decision to refuse them entry was improper. I haven't (and won't) spent time researching, but it's quite possible they could have evicted you much sooner than 30 days based on your actions.

I was scared that they would try to kick my out when they entered. They was no way to guarantee they wouldnt try that

 

[baddosully]

Sure.

And they can defend based on you allegedly abandoning the property and they can move forward with eviction and seek a writ of possession so they dispose of what you left in the house. You can spend months and thousands on litigation and still not get back into the house and there's no guarantee that you'll win a nickel.



That might be a better idea as long as you have documentation that it was your residence (utility bills, etc). Just make sure you are prepared to move the rest of your stuff out in one trip because the police aren't likely to help more than once.

And, by the way, since they are willing to coordinate with you to get the rest of your stuff, you probably have no case for wrongful eviction or any need for calling the police.

Use a little common sense and call up and arrange to get your stuff. You haven't won the lawsuit lottery. And you've had a free ride long enough.

How do i determine how much to sue for? Will a lawyer help me on a contingency basis i dont have money for lawyer fees

 

[adjusterjack]

Cant i just break in to the house and get my stuff out?

Did my comment about using common sense escape you?

Breaking in will get you put in jail.

If i call the police will they let me in and also let me stay in if i'm not ready to remove the rest of my stuff?

I have no idea of what "they" are capable of doing.

How do i determine how much to sue for? Will a lawyer help me on a contingency basis i dont have money for lawyer fees

The chances of a lawyer taking this on a contingency are slim to none.

Look, I gave you good advice. Take it. Call and arrange to get your stuff in one trip. Your boyfriend can get a truck and help you move it all out.

 

[Zigner]

I was scared that they would try to kick my out when they entered. They was no way to guarantee they wouldnt try that

Oh please - it's THEIR property - they have the RIGHT to enter upon proper notice.

 

[xylene]

How much is the value of your abandoned property?

Honestly you need to find a away to IMMEDIATELY remove all your stuff.

If you leave things behind, expect that you could be sued for the costs of disposing of the items.

You have dramatically overplayed your hand on this and bluntly you should be prepare to lose everything you left behind and then some.

 

[baddosully]

How much is the value of your abandoned property?

Honestly you need to find a away to IMMEDIATELY remove all your stuff.

If you leave things behind, expect that you could be sued for the costs of disposing of the items.

You have dramatically overplayed your hand on this and bluntly you should be prepare to lose everything you left behind and then some.

The property is about $160-170k

How can they just change the locks on me without properly evicting me? I should also be able to go back and change the locks since i have proof of receiving mail there for YEARS

 

[baddosully]

Oh please - it's THEIR property - they have the RIGHT to enter upon proper notice.

They cant come in without properly evicting me

 

[quincy]

You have in the house $160,000 to $170,000 worth of property?

 

[Just Blue]

The property is about $160-170k

How can they just change the locks on me without properly evicting me? I should also be able to go back and change the locks since i have proof of receiving mail there for YEARS

A hundred and sixty thousand dollars in property? Really?

 

[Just Blue]

They cant come in without properly evicting me

Yes they can. It's THEIR PROPERTY!