Landlord threw out my stuff before my lease was up.

I paid my last rent of december of my year lease. December 27 or 28 they went to my apt and threw my stuff away. My lamps and vacuum where no where to be found. All my personal paperwork was thrown in the trash..check books..check stubs..tax return papers photos and etc. They stated that somebody broke into my apt and didn't call me and another lady that works for the company stated that I left my door open, but either way they violated my lease by goin into the apt and throwing stuff away. I lose possession of the apt Jan 1st. What actions do I need to take?

When were you living there last? If you haven't been living there, depending on your state, you could have officially abandoned the unit by it being uninhabited. About all you can do now is ask management to reimburse you for the depreciated value of itemized items lost from your unit. Go collect what you can from the trash.

Originally Posted by Unregistered When were you living there last? If you haven't been living there, depending on your state, you could have officially abandoned the unit by it being uninhabited. About all you can do now is ask management to reimburse you for the depreciated value of itemized items lost from your unit. Go collect what you can from the trash.

i started moving out the weekend before xmas..and i had to work all weekend. I stayed at my new apt while i was moving out. I went over there on friday to get some things and by monday everything was cleared out! All they had to do is call me! Instead they making up stories about it being broken in and how i left the door unlock. They still violated my lease by coming in and throwing my stuff away...

A few days absence are not enough to declare a place abandoned in any state. (If you had been gone the entire month, it could be a different story.) Collect what you can. Make a list with the depreciated value of the rest. Make them an offer - pay you what they tossed out or you will sue them in small claims court for it.