In Massachusetts what is the penalty for changing the locks on a tenants apartment?

Massachusetts
jjandecho asked:

I am in the process of evicting a tenant and want to know what penalty a landlord can receive for changing the locks before the tenant is actually evicted in MAssachusetts



Comments (5)    Posted in Renting & Real Estate    

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5 Responses to 'In Massachusetts what is the penalty for changing the locks on a tenants apartment?'

  1. Casie - October 14th, 2009 at 2:00 pm

    Well, you would be going against the lease. They have the right to be in the property for the time noted on the lease. The eviction process would have to go through before you could do that.

    Don’t know the penalties, but they could sue you. If their stuff is in there, they might get really pissed. Whether your right or wrong, you can get sued for ANYTHING!!!!

  2. go_lc_bears - October 16th, 2009 at 4:28 pm

    You can be sued for damages, and the police will most likely force you to let them back in the apartment, so it would do much more harm than good unless they are destroying your place, in which case explain it to the police officer who shows up to let them back in.

    If they are destroying the place, I would recommend calling the police before you lock them out and see if there is anything else you can do first.

  3. maria b - October 18th, 2009 at 11:18 am

    If your tenant is smart they will call the police on you, if not, they will just leave. You will get arrested for doing this.

  4. spadezgurl22 - October 20th, 2009 at 11:08 am

    you can be arrested, its illegal o change the locks without a court order. it might forfeit ur winnings in the case, do not change the locks it will reflect poorly on ur credibility.

  5. Steve K - October 21st, 2009 at 5:41 am

    It can be construed as theft, since you are keeping the person from their property. Civilly, they could probably end up suing you, having the eviction declared as illegal, and be your tenants for a long time to come.


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