the worst nightmare i could imagine

i live in Nevada and I was late on my rent for the first time this month since i moved in four months ago. My landlord came by my apartment and I explained to her that i was planning on paying the rent and any late fees, and she said that was okay. The very next day while I was out, she changed the locks on my apartment without even giving me notice that she was entering the apt. I have called her office repeatedly but she never answers and here mailbox is always full, so I am unable to leave a message. She is never in the office but she lives on property, and has put notices on everyones doors that if we didturb her in her unit, it is grounds for immediate eviction. Not only have i been locked outy of my home for a week without her filing any sort of five day, or 24 hour notice or any kind of eviction, she went in my apartment and removed everything that was of value ( flat screen tvs computers, cameras, all my jewelry, my purses my shoes dvd players all my movies, clothes, even my expresso maker) she left my bed and couches and a giant mess!! She literally trashed the place and even opened my mail! My neighbors witness her and her boyfriend (who doesnt work for the property) take all of my things and place them in her apt and the model apartment. When a good friend of mine happened to stop by and ask what the hell she was doing she claimed that the police instucted her to remove all of it for "evidence". When I returned to my apt that evening after I was told by my friend what happened, I walked in and the place literally looked like it had been burlarized, so I called the police and went to the managers apt and her boyfriend answered and told me she was not there and slammed the door in my face, but before the door closed I was able to see my television in their living room being used!!! The police said that it was a civil matter and there was nothing he could do, He knocked on their door, but they would not answer after repeated attempts by the officer to get them to open the door. I am completly shocked and devasted that something like this could happen, especially when these are apts that are run by a corporation! Not surprisingly, I cannot find the name or number of anyone higher up than her, not even on the internet. Please tell me what I should do next, because I am not willing to accept that thius can only be resolved in small claims court. One more thing, she took my mail key off my desk, so I have not been able to receive mail for over a week and the unopened mail I had in my apartment has been torn open and read. She is the only person who has access to that apt after she changed the locks. Please please help of u can!!

[sunlover]

The Landlord's action was unlawful contact an Attorney

Exactly. This is an illegal eviction and you can sue her for this. Contact an attorney or legal aide immdiately. You can also contact a tenant's union in your area for help. You need to sue.

Info for other problems:
Go to the post office and request that they hold all your mail there and not to deliver it to your apartment. You will be able to go to the post office to pick up your mail without jeopardising your right and proof of residency in your unit.

Get statements and names, addresses of witnesses who will testify as to what the LL did. Have a friend (that the LL has never seen before) go and inspect the model unit, and photograph it for documentation that your belongings are in there. She can just state that her husband had to work today and was unable to come view the unit. Normally a LL will allow photos to be taken in this case so she can show them to the absent applicant. The friend can gush over the apt. to "make friends" with the LL to allow her to do this. After all, her husband is just going to love the place as much as she does, isn't he? She can then say she will get back in touch with the LL the next day as soon as her husband has viewed the pictures. Then she leaves without filling out an aplication. She could try to covertly take pics with her cell phone, but the above usually works fine.

As for the owner of the property, look under your county auditor's website and type in the property address. The owner and the address where they send the tax information and statements will come up. Contact them. iF no online posting, call or go to the auditor's office for this information. The owner can tell you who the management company is and where to contact them.

Good advice!!