Q: Renting a room and the landlord locked me out , turns off a/c during heatwave
I am disabled my husband is 62 we renting a room in an apartment only been here a month and a half the landlord's not only screaming and threatening us but forced us to be afraid and have to huncker down in our bedroom until she leaves again sometimes for 2 days, she locked me out during this heat wave yesterday for over 24 hours we live in Merced California and it's been very hot when I got back in through the police she now has her friends staying here to intimidate me. my husband had a heart attack 10 days ago partially due to the stress here, he just got off ventilator 3 days ago and he's in the ICU and not well. I pay rent don't know why she is doing this , today she turning off the AC to make my room really really hot. this is totaly illegal? or should I do it's really hot. She scared me especially with my husband not here. We just moved to this town 45 days ago or so and we are homebound with no transportation and we do not know anybody here at all. What should I do
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A:
I'm sorry to hear about the distressing situation you're facing. First, document everything: take notes, photos, and videos of the incidents, including the landlord's behavior and the conditions of the room. This documentation will be essential if you need to take legal action.
Contact your local tenant rights organization or legal aid service in Merced for immediate assistance. They can provide you with guidance on how to protect your rights and may offer free or low-cost legal advice. Additionally, consider reaching out to the police again if you feel unsafe or threatened by the landlord or her friends.
Lastly, if possible, try to find temporary accommodation elsewhere, especially given your husband's health condition. Look for local resources that may offer emergency housing assistance. Your safety and well-being are the top priority, and there are organizations and services that can help you navigate this challenging situation.
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