Washington, DC asked in Contracts and Civil Litigation for District of Columbia

Q: What is the law regarding a moving company holding your items until you pay their demand for more money?

I hired a moving company to relocate my items in Seattle to DC. They are now claiming that my storage until which only held a capacity of 400 cu ft took up 425 cu ft of their trailer and that they have to transfer my items to a shuttle because the semi currently carrying my items is too big to go to the storage unit. They are demanding an additional $853 in cash or money order due on delivery today. I saw that Maryland has laws against this but what about DC? And can I call the police once I meet them at the storage unit?

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
Andrellos Mitchell
Andrellos Mitchell
Answered
  • Washington, DC
  • Licensed in District of Columbia

A: Well, I think you should call a lawyer and see what he can do. It's going to cost, but probably less than the $853.00. If the lawyer can't work something out, if you want your property back you may have to pay now and sue later...if you have a legal grounds to sue. It all depends on whats in the contract.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.