california rental-property tenant theft harassment
Can my parents, who owned my home, enter it while I&#39;m at work and move me out without any warning?
<p>I was renting a home from my parents when my husband got arrested and went to jail. I had no eviction notice.  I am in Tulare County, in the city of Visalia, in California.</p>
<p>I was unable to pay my rent on time, however, the month was not over. With no warning, while I was at work, my parents went into my home and moved me and my three kids out. They moved us in about a day into a smaller house. They told me it was because my husband went to jail.</p>
<p>While I was at work, with no warning, my parents moved our stuff again. They moved us in with them, but this time they threw most my stuff away. When I came home from work, I told my father that I didn't want him to throw my stuff away anymore.  On multiple occasions thereafter, they threw away more of my stuff or took it for themselves/friends, again without warning.</p>
<p>The house they are living in now is the first house they moved me out of. This was a house that my son and I found, and my parents were promising to help me buy it. After 6 months they promised to put in my name if I proved that I would continue to work which I have for ten years.</p>
<p>Is there anything legally I can do to get my family out of their grip?</p>

<p>Yes, they seem to have broken the law.</p>
<p>In California, notice must be given for an eviction. This can be a 30/60/90 day notice with no reason needed (typically because the landlord wants the property for something else) or a 3 day notice with cause- the most typical being not paying the rent. Note that COVID exceptions exist, though I don't believe they apply to you.</p>
<p>Even after that time, a landlord cannot physically remove a tenant or attempt to drive them out through the destruction/removal of property, locking them out, or cutting off utilities. They are liable for damages suffered as well as penalties. There are lawful procedures in place for this.</p>
<p>The removal and destruction of your belongings could constitute either larceny or vandalism. Either way, by unlawfully removing your possessions, they are liable for the damages caused.</p>
