Locked out

[itsmefolks]

My son has just moved into a rented house with his girlfriend and her 10 year old daughter. He gave up a lovely apartment to live with her and moved in with all his new furniture. She sold most of her furniture as it was all quite old. Now she has locked him out saying she has entitlement to all his stuff!! I cant believe anyone can do such a thing. My son is aged 30 and works as a long distance lorry driver and obviously is feels very vulnerable being away a lot of the time. Any help would be appreciated.

[bednobs]

is he on the contract for the flat? If so she can deny him access to it. Regardless, as far as i know his stuff is his stuff

[itsmefolks]

Thanks for that. They signed a 6 months contract. He pays for most things needed. Now she is saying he cant have his stuff back as she has a diabetic daughter who needs insulin and a fridge for it. Real blackmail stuff this eh? I reckon if I was in his shoes I would take the lot and leave the fridge. However he isnt sure of the legality of it. She is also saying she is going to bring a chap back tonight whilst he is away up Scotland! This is not true of course, just doing it to get at him. Which of course is!
I just hope it sorts itself out somehow. Thanks again.

[cassa333]

Tell him to take two days off and go round when she is out or not expecting him and get his stuff back. Speak to the landlord about getting his name off the contract otherwise she will not pay the rent and your son will end up having to pay it.

Leave the fridge as a goodwill gesture and move on. She obviously intended this from the start.

However if he is on the rental contract then I don't think she can just kick him out. I would ask at CAB on that one.

[themas]

If he is on the tenancy agreement then he has as much right to live there as she does. She can only legally "lock him out" if she gets a Court order to exclude him. If he has receipts etc. to prove he bought the possessions then he has every right to take them.

But the point made before - that she will stop paying the rent & he will be liable for it - has to be considered. It is unlikely the landlord will agree to terminate the tenancy early (which is what would have to happen to get his name off the tenancy) so he must make quite sure he gives the correct notice to terminate it at the end of the 6 months. He needs advice about this - contact CAB or the Shelter helpline.