EVERYTHING I have ever owned is gone!

Colorado

I was living in a apartment with ex-boyfriend (I was looking for my own apt. at the time). The rental agreement
was in both of our names, I wasn't working but they wanted to add my name because my credit was better than my ex's.
After living there about 6 months, my ex got behind on rent. We receieved 1 posting on our door, showing eviction. I personally talked to the apt. manager and she told me that as long as he kept paying "something" and kept her informed we would be ok. She also said that the notice on the door was nothing to worry about, it was just "policy".
One afternoon I came home from work, and found our apt. to be completely cleaned out! Everything I have ever owned was gone. I panicked and called a friend. After she arrived we starting walking to the apt. office and I noticed some of my belongings in and around the complex trash dumpster. I panicked even more! I went into the office and I was told that they (the girls in the office) had no idea where I worked so they couldn't call me. (This was not true, I had told them exactly where I worked!)
At that time I noticed my computer sitting behind a desk, I was told that she was "saving it for me, it looked so expensive." After gathering all my computer componenets, I went out to the dumpster only to find a few articles of clothing, some pictures, and only a few pieces of broken items. (things people didn't want) Several tenents came over to me and told me that the manager told them "it's free for the taking." One gentleman told me it was worse than any garage sale or flea market he had ever seen! People were backing their vehicles up and taking my things by the truck load. I can't even explain to anyone how heartbreaking this is! I did have some nice things but I also lost things I had saved since I was born. Not meaning to sound awful, but I didn't even have a pair of underwear left. I need to know if there is anything I can do. I will never get my belongings back, but I feel this was wrong! I have had to start my life completely over again! I don't want this to happen to anyone else, either. Thank you!

If all this is really true, you should go to the Police.

In reponse to your comment...yes this is the complete truth. I have learned a lot since this happened, but the two main things are 1. Don't change the details to make it sound better or worse! (I think the truth is bad enough)
and 2. You definately find out who loves you (friends and family). Their the ones that had to rush out and by me new underwear, toothbrush, etc.

After re-reading your posting, it is necessary to ask, "Were you legally evicted"?

If so, I don't know anything about CO law, but I am surprised that you can be evicted based on just 1 posting of a notice on the door. Are you sure that there isn't more to the story?

On the other hand, if you received an official notice that you are going to be evicted, the responsibility was on you to move out yourself, and to safeguard your things. That's what the notice is for.

Melissa Cooper said:

In reponse to your comment...yes this is the complete truth. I have learned a lot since this happened, but the two main things are 1. Don't change the details to make it sound better or worse! (I think the truth is bad enough)
and 2. You definately find out who loves you (friends and family). Their the ones that had to rush out and by me new underwear, toothbrush, etc.

Click to expand...

My comment was about going to the Police.

If it was a sheriff or a marshal whop took your stuff out...then it was probably legal.....

if it was a handyman from the complex...you should have called the police and have them arrested...


because it would have been illegal......
And sued their asssssess for a ton of money....

how long ago did this happen...maybe you could still file a police report.

In response to the comments, I don't know if
the sheriff was present or not, I wasn't there.
I do know that the maintenece man of the complex
and several other guys actually moved my stuff out.
And yes, I know the responsibility was mine to make
sure my belongings were safe, that's why I spoke to
the apt. manager and she told me (once again) as
long as he paid "something" to catch up and kept her
"informed" everything would be okay. Two days prior
to them removing my items, my ex took to the apt.
office a money order for $250. (I'm not sure the
exact amount, but I did see it myself!) By her accepting
the money order, didn't that alone entitle us to remain
in the apt? Even if not, that was paying "something."
He was only 1 month behind! I was told by an employee
of the office that she knew of "quite a few" tenants
that were up to 3 months or more past due.

I was only given 1 post! But....the building I lived in
had probably 30 apts. or more. It could have been easily
removed by another tenant, kids, or never even put up.
Another question, for it (an eviction) to be legal, shouldn't these "papers" be mailed or severed? I don't see
how 1 post on your door being held with Scotch tape is
an acceptable or legal way to go about something SO SERIOUS!

This incident happened in Jan. of 2000. I realize now that
I should have done something right away, but you have to
understand that getting clothes, a place to live, dishes, etc., etc. had to come first. And it has taken time. One more question, even if it's to late for me to make a police report, could I do anything about how this has affected me?
II have had a difficult time the past year. I will never be able to replace a lot of the things I had.