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Do I need a lawyer to file a complaint against a landlord for an illegal eviction?

Question Details:Landlord illegally evicted me by never giving eviction notice from sheriff and changed locks on me while I was not home. He also packed my stuff and moved it into the livingroom. Then when talking to Landlord and Tenant Affairs I found out he does not have a license to rent the condo.

Asked 2 years ago under Landlord / Tenant | 1304 Views | More Legal Topics

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Cedulie Laumann | Arden Law Firm Answered 2 years ago | None Contributor with 0 answers This Crownsville, MD attorney is licensed in Maryland

I am a Maryland barred attorney.  Just one note -- a landlord does not always need a "license" to rent in this state.   Only in certain counties (usually with exceptions) is this required.   So it may or may not be an issue in your case.   Additionally, I recommend checking the Proof of Service form filed in the eviction matter -- look at how it says you got notice.   It is possible that notice was done by service on another occupant of the property (which is legal) or by some other means.  The recommendation to get a lawyer is a good one, but an attorney will have a hard time telling you whether you have a strong case against the landlord without additional information.  

B. B., Member, New Jersey Bar | FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney Answered 2 years ago

I think you need a lawyer.  The court system website has forms for more basic landlord-tenant situations, but you've been wrongfully evicted.  You need a lawyer, and you need to call the police, because this is a criminal offense.

The fact that the landlord is not licensed is probably just a little extra icing on this particular cake.  Please keep careful track of all your extra expenses, caused by what the landlord has done, get receipts for whatever you can and keep it all organized.  If you do that, you'll have too good a case not to have a lawyer, to get the most out of it.  Wrongful eviction like this is so totally illegal that whatever you and the lawyer can do to this landlord, he has coming.

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