H
hissister
Guest
hi, writing from Massachusetts for my brother. He's in a bit of a mess. Currently has attorney for this on a criminal issue, but same stuff keeps happening. Main question is whether my brother would be better off going with a tenant lawyer than with the criminal?
Background: brother moved into apt about 2years ago. After about 6 mos he was going to have a friend become his room mate. Landlord, who was at the time his friend too, said "no, he can't move in with you because I am." Brother felt he couldn't say no. LL moved a bunch of his stuff in. My brother started paying 1/2 rent, from what i understand the agreement. LL never did actually move in and after a bit, wanted all rent money plus the back months since he didn't move in, from there things got really ugly.
He locked my brother out after leaving most of his things on the sidewalk outside the apt (brother came home and saw people walking down the street with his lam[s, etc). LL took most of the valuable things: 36"tv, phones, etc. He took all of my brother's food, all of his dishes, all of his toiletries. A mutual friend (?) of my brother's and the LL was there. He helped LL carry the tv and other stuff out of the house. LL then changed all locks, cut phone and electrical service, and other nasty things. That was about 3 mos ago. Still nothing. My brother and his son spent this past weekend at my home. When he retuurned to his apt everything was trashed. His son's crib was smashed in pieces. His dressers were smashed. Any clothing remaining was taken as was $250 cash. His mattress was taken. The dog was gone also. As my brother was escorting a detective out of the apartment after calling police. A black pickup pulls up to the corner. My brother says to the detective, "that's my dog getting out of that truck" It was the truck of the brother of the LL. Detective chases truck but doesn't catch up.
LL has mad drunken calls to my brother's boss at 2 in the morning. He went to the local hangout and spit in my brother's face! His saliva went on everybody there. All of this is the big stuff. There's been so much more in the way of harassing, stalking and threatening. . Brother calls police files a report, etc.
Additionally, my brother is a diabetic. His medication needs to be refrigerated. Twice the LL has cut the electricity-losing power to fridge.
Sorry for length, but, any help? Should he just wait and go ahead with the criminal charges and with the crimnal attorney, or, is there a better, quicker way to have this ended.
Anything is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Background: brother moved into apt about 2years ago. After about 6 mos he was going to have a friend become his room mate. Landlord, who was at the time his friend too, said "no, he can't move in with you because I am." Brother felt he couldn't say no. LL moved a bunch of his stuff in. My brother started paying 1/2 rent, from what i understand the agreement. LL never did actually move in and after a bit, wanted all rent money plus the back months since he didn't move in, from there things got really ugly.
He locked my brother out after leaving most of his things on the sidewalk outside the apt (brother came home and saw people walking down the street with his lam[s, etc). LL took most of the valuable things: 36"tv, phones, etc. He took all of my brother's food, all of his dishes, all of his toiletries. A mutual friend (?) of my brother's and the LL was there. He helped LL carry the tv and other stuff out of the house. LL then changed all locks, cut phone and electrical service, and other nasty things. That was about 3 mos ago. Still nothing. My brother and his son spent this past weekend at my home. When he retuurned to his apt everything was trashed. His son's crib was smashed in pieces. His dressers were smashed. Any clothing remaining was taken as was $250 cash. His mattress was taken. The dog was gone also. As my brother was escorting a detective out of the apartment after calling police. A black pickup pulls up to the corner. My brother says to the detective, "that's my dog getting out of that truck" It was the truck of the brother of the LL. Detective chases truck but doesn't catch up.
LL has mad drunken calls to my brother's boss at 2 in the morning. He went to the local hangout and spit in my brother's face! His saliva went on everybody there. All of this is the big stuff. There's been so much more in the way of harassing, stalking and threatening. . Brother calls police files a report, etc.
Additionally, my brother is a diabetic. His medication needs to be refrigerated. Twice the LL has cut the electricity-losing power to fridge.
Sorry for length, but, any help? Should he just wait and go ahead with the criminal charges and with the crimnal attorney, or, is there a better, quicker way to have this ended.
Anything is greatly appreciated. Thank you.