Hyattsville, MD asked in Contracts and Landlord - Tenant for Maryland

Q: Am I being wrongfully evicted?

My landlord had put a masterlock on my door so now I can’t remove the remainder of my property. The lease says I have until the end of November to vacate. She lives in NY and I’m in MD. I don’t understand why she did this but I feel as if it isn’t valid.

Related Topics:
2 Lawyer Answers
Leonard A Englander
Leonard A Englander
Answered
  • Landlord Tenant Lawyer
  • Annapolis, MD
  • Licensed in Maryland

A: That sounds like an illegal lockout. The only way that it would be allowed is if there was a court hearing and the sheriff's office came to officiate an eviction. It doesn't sound like that happened here. I would suggest contacting the State's attorney's office, as many counties have unlawful lockout statutes that criminalize the action.

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
Answered
  • Rockville, MD
  • Licensed in Maryland

A: It’s illegal without a Sheriff executing a writ of eviction, pursuant to a judgment of possession entered after a court hearing for which you are entitled to receive lawful notice in advance. Calla locksmith, show your lease to prove you are a legal tenant with right of possession, and have the lock removed.

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.