Hi,
My apartment lease expires at the end of September. I am in the process of moving my belongings to my new apartment slowly as I already have another place to live. This past weekend I went to pick up some larger items (TV, bed) since I had help available. I forgot my apartment keys so I obtained my spare from the building. After I was done moving I left my keys with the front desk as I was told to. This was on Sunday.
I had not been back to the apartment since then. Yesterday I received a message from my brother that my building management company had called and left a message that I needed to vacate the apartment. I was very confused as to what that meant. I had not received any phone calls or emails from my management company.
I spent all morning trying to reach someone at the management company. When I finally got in touch with someone they didn't know what I was talking about. I though there must have been a mistake but I called my super just to make sure everything was ok.
I was finally able to get in touch with my super at 6pm. I was shocked to learn that after I returned my spare keys on Sunday the person at the front desk thought I had moved out! No one ever contacted me to confirm if this was true. Meanwhile, my lease doesn't even expire for over another month. I was even more appalled to learn that the following day (on Monday) building management had entered my apartment and noticed there was still furniture and many personal belongings present. Despite this, they still assumed I had moved out (without contacting me) and went ahead and put all my personal belongings in trash bags. They then changed the locks on my door. Thursday is the first time anyone tried to reach me and they didn't even call me, they called my brother who I guess is listed as an emergency contact.
After speaking with the super, they realized it was a mistake and gave me back access to my apartment. When I went back to my apartment, all my personal belongings were taken out of their drawers in my dresser and out of my closets and thrown in trash bags! I feel so personally violated--that strangers went through my belonging without permission.
What legal action can I take for this? Not only did the super and property manager enter my apartment without my permission, they went through my personal belongings! I have yet to speak to building management about the situation and am wondering if I should speak to a lawyer before I do! Your help would be appreciated!!
MS