Q: What can I do about my sister locking me out of the home we verbally agreed to share?
I live with my sister and father in a home acquired through my sister's disability benefits. We have a verbal agreement to reside together, but no written rental agreement. My sister repeatedly locks me out of the house, even involving the police once, leaving me with no place to go. She refuses to give me a key, despite asking me to stay for our father's sake and telling me to save money by living there. What legal actions can I take to address being locked out and denied access to the home I've been invited to live in?
A: This depends on a number of facts such as whether you established residency there through any utilities and/or license. Also, if you can establish a landlord/tenant relationship based or you were just a permitted guest. Without legal ownership rights your recourse will be wrongful eviction based on whether you were a guest or an actual tenant and the timeframe she would have had to provide for a notice to quit or an eviction. You should speak to an attorney so that further details can determine which course you take.
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