Title: Landlord Tenant Issues - Durham Region, ON - Can. Landlord claiming to live in house we are renting when he is not actually living there.

Question:
Legal Advice – Landlord Tenant Issues - Kind of long, TL/DR at the bottom.

My mother is having problems with her landlord who is claiming to also live in the house.
She has a one year lease signed starting of May this year. The landlord lives with his girlfriend down the street and said that he has not lived in the house for over a year so he wants to rent it to make some money off it, obviously reasonable. This is a beautiful spot with the backyard being a cliff to the lake, there is a pool and a fire pit. The house itself is rather small but it’s perfect for the 3 people living there.

When the lease was signed, my mother informed Steve* of the 3 cats she has, he was fine with it and she even wrote them down on the lease. They entered verbal agreements regarding the basement. He asked that the basement (with a door to the backyard) be left for him to use as storage and so that he has somewhere to bring his son when he wants to visit. He promised it would be at max, twice a year, and that nobody would ever be there without him. They also agreed that he can park his car there- he drops it off when he’s done work and then walks over to his girlfriend’s house. Apparently he “can’t park there” even though they have an 11 car driveway...

Everything seemed perfect, despite the basement situation being a little strange, it wasn’t a huge deal because he promised to hardly ever be there. However that has not been the case. Steve is there almost every single weekend. He swims all the time, and brings his girlfriend over to swim and she sits on out swing in the back. His son has shown up more than once with friends (WITHOUT Steve), smoking and drinking out of glass beer bottles around the pool area and having fires.
When confronted, Steve enforces that this is “His backyard” and us using the backyard is “a privilege” He says “This is my house!! This is *MY* Backyard!”

He shows up all the time without warning, often frightening my mother when she doesn’t know he is there. It is extremely annoying and intrusive and we have asked him multiple times to please just give us a heads up before he comes over as a common courtesy and just out of respect for our space. Having him randomly show up for no reason makes us feel like we can’t be at ease in our home and the fact that he always tries to assert his dominance over us is not very settling. When we try to ask him for a simple text beforehand to let us know when he will be there, he says “THIS IS MY HOUSE, I DON’T NEED PERMISSION TO BE HERE!” We say that although he may Own the house, WE are the current tenants and that we are the ones living here. He says “No, *I* LIVE HERE! You rented a *FLAT*.” (By this, I think he means that we’ve rented the top of the house, although we have half the basement as well.)

There have been a couple other problems around the house including the stove and dishwasher not working, and other various things. He also tried to accuse us of having cats and said that we never told him about them, even though they’re written on the lease. The weird thing is that he has not changed his address (although he hasn’t lived there for over a year and a half now) so we think that he is pretending to still live there and not have to claim the house as an income property.

As much as he comes over, he has never spent the night, he does NOT live there and we don’t know what to do about the situation he’s created.
On the lease, it specifically states “NO oral agreements have been entered into” so does that make the verbal agreements they have null and void? How do we get him to stop coming over so much, or at least give us notice for when he does? We have considered having many people over on the weekend so there is nothing in the backyard for him to use, but that is a minor fix and might only work once.

Should we contact Revenue Canada to make sure he is audited to ensure he is claiming our rent as an income? Is there someone from the Landlord Tenant Board that we should contact? What should we do?
Thanks for all your advice in advance!

**TL/DR: Landlord is claiming to live in the house we are renting, even though he is not.**

Answer:
 You have exclusive use of the property, the landlord, or his agents, absent 24 hour notice, or in case of emergency repair, have no right to enter the property. Next time they do so, ask them to leave, if they don't call the police.

 Further you'll want to file a complaint with the landlord tenant board. Its going to be a T2 form.

http://www.sjto.gov.on.ca/documents/ltb/Tenant%20Applications%20&%20Instructions/T2.pdf

 Fill that out, include all information about when, who and for how long they illegally entered the property. You're also going to want to claim 'reason 3: Substantially interfered with my reasonable enjoyment of the rental unit or complex or
with the reasonable enjoyment of a member of my household." and  'Reason 4:  Harassed, coerced, obstructed, threatened or interfered with me."

 I wouldn't mention the verbal agreement.


Title: (California) Neighbor's construction causing damage to a shared driveway.

Question:
The neighbor is doing construction and the trucks going up and down have caused the asphalt to crack and uproot. The damage has gotten to the point where it could risk popping a tire. The contractor seemed hesitant about trying to fix anything but after talking with him a bit he finally said he would have someone look at it Friday, and they came and went.. Haven't heard anything since and am planning on talking to him about it Monday. Am I going in the right direction here or should i contact someone else? Here's a diagram that resembles our driveway: http://i.imgur.com/ZLSTD6wl.jpg

The damage is along the bottom touching the main road.

Answer: You are doing it right. Just exhaust your options before you take it to the next step. Also keep a written log of the conversations, take pic's too.


Title: A PG&E truck has been blocking my driveway for several hours and they wouldn't move when I asked even though they just need to pull up 10 feet. Are they allowed to do this? [CA]

Answer: Call the police and let them know someones parked vehicle is blocking your driveway prohibiting you from leaving.Answer #2: Also call the how's my driving number on the back of the truck and state exactly what's going on.


Title: Mental disability vs ADA and reasonable accommodations

Question:
I  have focal aware seizures (a form of partial epilepsy without  shaking and  other physical symptoms, but with short spells of confusion and  disorientation - especially when I'm stressed), generalized anxiety  disorder and slightly impaired verbal communication skills (I can speak  and understand speech, but it takes me a great effort and  reading/writing is way much easier for me). All this is a result of a  child brain trauma.

I work as a software engineer for quite a few years and have a portfolio of successful projects (nothing grand, though)

I  know that ADA requires the employer to provide "reasonable  accommodations", but how far this can actually go in my case and what  adjustments can I ask for? (Think of the standard interviewing process  that companies like Google and Microsoft use)

Answer: You are approaching this backwards.  The question is not "what is the farthest I can go," it is "what do you *reasonably* need?"


Title: [FL] Brother "served" papers in jail but hasn't seen them.

Question:
My brother is in county jail. His son's mother has filed papers for custody.  My brother said he was told about the papers but he can't see them until he's releasesd. He has a PD for the cases he's awaiting trial but not a family attorney to confir with.

My father went to the courthouse to get a copy and found out there were served on the 8th and a response is required within 20 days.  He hasn't had a chance to read the whole thing yet.  Im assuming the 20 days are business days, and a response is due on Sep 5th and not Aug 28th, correct?

I must be missing something here.  How can papers be considered served if the person they are for hasn't actually received them?  How can the jail sit on time-sensitive legal papers like this?  I know personal letters can take a while to get from the mailbox to the inmate but this doesn't make sense for process of service, right?

Answer: That is a defense, but someone needs to go to the courthouse and file something to prevent a default judgment against him.


Title: Parts of 4chan legality, Texas, pornography laws

Question:
Hi, I know this is odd but u was browsing random and found lolicon and I panicked a little and wondered if that is legal, I know it's illegal in Australia, but I want to know the status of it in the united states all the research I did was slightly confusing.
Thanks for any response
Topic:
Criminal Law

Answer:
 Hand drawn cartoons are not considered child pornography under US Federal Law (unless they are "indistinguishable" from an actual child).

They may violate other obscenity laws, but I'm aware of nowhere that it would be considered child porn or otherwise prosecuted.Answer #2: Disgusting?  Absolutely.

Illegal?  No.


Title: [TX] I got a picture of someone attempting to break into my car, can I print it and share/post it around my apartment?

Question:
Last night a group of people were huddled around my car, with one person looking through the window right at the driver side. I was able to snag a picture before calling the police and running them off. Here's the kicker though, the group are likely all minors (looked HS age) and according to the apartment I live in, one of them lives at the apartment.

&#x200B;

Question - Can I get into trouble for printing and posting flyers WITH THE PICTURE OF THE (likely) MINORS warning others to be on the lookout?

Answer:
 They could seek legal recourse but it would require identifing themselves, thus exposing them for attempted theft/ possible grand theft.

So long as the complex manager/ owner is ok with it you should be fine.


Title: Worth it to prove soon to be ex is underemployed and taking her few hours off to travel?

Question:
So my soon to be ex wife was conveniently "let go" while we are going through divorce. I'm left to pay over 90% of the bills while she collects unemployment and claims to have just a 3-hour per week job after 3 months.

Now I get to see that she asked for time off even from those few hours to go to a music festival (and another man is thanking her online for getting his $400 ticket to the festival). She does claim to have a job lined up out of state in the next 2 months or so but couldn't produce an offer letter. My attorney says we could get any communication between her and the new job, but I'm thinking it could be more damning to get communication from her current work that says she is asking for time off while she refuses to pay bills that even the court said she was responsible for?

What I would hope to accomplish through this is showing the judge that she purposely is taking the summer off while I foot the bill for her car, mortgage, etc. And hopefully that gets taken into consideration during settlement, such as my receiving a greater portion of the home equity.

State is NV.

Answer:
 You should follow your attorney's advice.

In the broadest terms it may be of limited value to demonstrate that your wife is taking a day or two off to attend a music festival.  There is the broader argument whether or not she is earning the income she is capable of earning, and whether she misses a few hours of work seems a small thing in that broader context.

It sounds like your attorney may be more focused on what she *will* earn than what she's earning now - which sounds like a direction consistent with that bigger picture.


Title: (Oklahoma) I'm an amateur landlord and a professional idiot. Need advice.

Question:
I'm a landlord in Oklahoma. I have a unit with two tenants whose 1 year lease expires at the end of June. I would like the lease to rollover to month to month.

I am an idiot and allowed the tenants to add to the lease an option that they could extend the lease, at their sole election, for six months at a time (up to four times) after the initial one year lease. Yes that is monumentally stupid for many reasons. Two questions about my options to not allow them to exercise said options:

One of the tenants is in jail. Would this prevent them from being able to agree to the extension? Can I refuse to accept the option to extend the lease from only one tenant? My lease states that they are joint and severally liable, but can't I refuse to extend a joint lease to only one remaining tenant?

Secondly, there is a clause that states that should any part of the lease be void or unenforceable by law, that part shall be void to the extent that it is void or unenforceable. Are the six month options as they are written unenforceable under the Oklahoma landlord tenant act? I may be grasping at straws here, but I am quite desperate. Thanks in advance.

Answer:
 > One of the tenants is in jail. Would this prevent them from being able to agree to the extension?

I suppose it depends on how hard the other roommate tries to get it to them.

> My lease states that they are joint and severally liable, but can't I refuse to extend a joint lease to only one remaining tenant?

If only one signs, sure. You can still be on a lease and be in jail.

But more to the point -- what does the lease say about how long they have to tell you they want to renew? Typically it's 30 days (sometimes 60). Have their said they want to renew?


Title: People have been using Sprint IP deaf phone relay for scams, claiming to be deaf, but just using it to be anonymous. The FCC cracks down. Deaf people lose out.

Question:
Sprint IP says the FCC requires deaf people to use Zoom to verify their identity to use Sprint IP, which seems to be the only IP relay available now.  But a lot of deaf people use old PC's that don't support Zoom because Zoom requires a video camera in the PC.  So the FCC is effectively requiring deaf people to buy new PC's they often can't afford, because deafness often causes unemployment.

A good solution would be to allow other methods of verifying the person's ID, such as sending pictures of their ID, their surface mail received at their address, etc.  But how can the FCC be persuaded to allow that?  Or if Sprint IP misunderstands the FCC's requirements, and imposes the Zoom requirement themselves, how can they be persuaded?

Answer:
 > But a lot of deaf people use old PC's that don't support Zoom because Zoom requires a video camera in the PC.

What? Could you expand on this? This seems very far fetched to me, that people would have a computer today that cannot work with a USB camera. There has been computers and software allowing video chat since late 90s.Answer #2: I am annoyed at your claim of "buying a new PC" because that's bullshit. Either webcam or through your phone would likely work.Answer #3: An ada lawsuit?Answer #4: Are deaf people especially likely to have super old computers?


Title: Ohio: false rape allegation, wants to force me to pay for half of abortion.

Question: So, I have recently broken up with my ex-girlfriend. A couple days go by and she messages me saying that she took 2 pregnancy tests and both came out negative. She told her mom and her mom says that since we had sex that it is "rape of a minor" even though she is 17 (will be 18 in 8 months) and is above the age of consent (I turned 21 this year) They are saying that if she is pregnant i need to pay for half of the abortion or they will accuse me of rape. before all of this I recieved a message from an unknown number threatening to tell people at my church that i raped her and will get me kicked out of my religion. Because of my religion I can't play a role in abortion and told her if she is pregnant I cannot help with the abortion. We have not had sex in at least a month and only had sex 3 times. both tests came out negative but she is going to see a doctor to get another test. I know for a fact it was not rape, she regularly asked for sex from me and there are messages to prove that it was consensual. There is evidence that it was consensual and she may not even be pregnant. should I be worried?

Answer:
 Yes you should be worried if they're threating to expose you for "raping their daughter". If the pregnancy test came out negative why are they pestering you about paying for abortion?

Screen shot any evidence for safe keeping: gather proof of them threating you and record any phone calls from now on.

Worst case scenario, you would need to contact a lawyer.


Title: [MO] What action can I take regarding sexual abuse that occurred when I was a minor?

Question:
Hi, r/legaladvice. I have questions which regard taking legal action against someone who sexually abused me as a child. I want to provide you all with as much information regarding my situation as possible. I have tried to summarize this as much as I could while still leaving in important details. I will include a brief summary at the end. Thank you to all of you that read this post and are able to help me. During the summer of 2012, I met a 39 year old man through text messaging. I was 13 at the time. For the sake of anonymity, I’ll be referring to him as Tim.

Tim and I exchanged texts for quite some time after meeting. I lied to him and told him that I was 16. He told me that he was 39. We often engaged in phone sex via text and voice calls. A couple months into the relationship, Tim informed me that he was married and had 3 children. His middle child was only a year younger than me. I was upset, but the tension between us blew over and our relationship continued. Fast forward 6 months, and I had just turned 14 in the middle of December 2012. He had found out through some Google searches that I was, in fact, 14 and not 17 like I would have been. He wasn’t very upset that I had lied and we continued our relationship. In February of 2013, we finally met up and had sex for the first time. This sexual relationship continued for about a year. Around February of 2014, his wife caught him texting me. He ended the relationship with me and that is the last time I ever saw him. We did text occasionally until I was 18 years old. These messages would often be sexual in nature.  In January of 2017, I finally told him that the relationship was over. We have not spoken since and I have no desire to do so.

I am now almost 19 and a half years old and am interested in taking legal action against him because his children are no longer young and I don’t want him to do anything like this again. This relationship has caused a lot of trauma in my life and has caused the depression that I have had since I was 7 years old to become much worse. I self-harmed all through my freshman and sophomore years of high-school, developed several eating disorders, and dropped out when I was 16 to start college early. I now have suicidal thoughts almost daily and have attempted a couple of times.

I realize that laws for sexual abuse vary state by state, so it is worth it to mention that I live in Missouri and all of this happened in the state of Missouri. I also should mention that I don’t have a whole lot of physical evidence that this relationship took place. I know his first name and what he told me was his last name. I know his phone number by heart and how to get to his house from mine by heart. I do not have his actual address. I know the general location of a few of the rental homes that he owns. I no longer have our text messages. I have since changed my phone number and pay my own phone bill on a different network. The entirety of the relationship occurred while I was on my parent’s phone plan through Sprint. I now have my own plan through Cricket Wireless.

So, r/legaladvice, I believe that that is the concise version of my story. What I ask of you all is advice on legal practices in my state. Did this happen too long ago and am I now too old to seek legal action? Is it worth it to pursue legal action or would it be more helpful for me to simply learn to cope with it? Do I even have enough evidence? Or would it be my word against his? If legal action would be worthwhile, who exactly should I speak to and how much would it cost? I am a college student and will be funding this by myself. Finally, what will the process be like?

Thank you again to all of you who got this far. I have never spoken to anyone this frankly about this period of my life and sincerely appreciate any and all advice you all can offer.

TL;DR I entered a sexual relationship with a 39 year old man when I was 13. I am now 19 years old and I would like to pursue legal action, but do not know the specifics of doing so or if I am even able to. I do not have much physical evidence that the relationship took place; however, this relationship has caused emotional trauma that has hindered my ability to live a normal life.

Answer:
 First of all, stop worrying about evidence or what the police might find or if it's enough. That's their job. You can go make a police report with everything you know. You should also be in therapy.Answer #2: It looks like the statute of limitations for prosecutions of sex offenses against a minor in Missouri is for 20 years after your 18th birthday. So yes, you can still file the police report and let the detectives worry about the evidence. Www.rainn.org is a good resource for you.

Best wishes to you. Remember that often times legal action does not lead to the sense of peace you might be hoping for.  There are resources available to you as the victim of a crime. Regardless, good for you for reporting his behavior since he IS a criminal and should face consequences, even if the consequence is just that his family finds out what he has been doing. You are very likely not his only victim.

Good luck!Answer #3: You just need to call or go to the police and tell them your story.

The case will be helped if you can provide them electronic evidence (computer/cell phone/etc.) that will have records of your chats and emails on them.  They'll need to take those for a while for analysis- if they have underage pictures of you on them (which they will need to help the prosecution of this guy) then you may not be able to get those devices back.  So back up the data you want to keep before you go.


Title: Friend owes me $250, we signed an agreement

Question:
My friend was short on her rent so I lent her $250 towards it. We signed an agreement saying she'd pay me back in June of 2015. That hasn't happened. Since then she has inherited a house and no longer pays rent, she got her tax return and baught an Xbox 1 with it (she already had a ps4) and now she is ignoring my texts and calls. It's not a crazy amount of money but I'm struggling and it would definitely help me out. So what steps can I or should I take to get the money back?

Edit to add potentially pertinent info: she has 3 kids and her husband is only the father of the 3rd one, we live in Florida, she moved from the county I am in to one a little south (where her new I herited house is). She got that house when her mom moved out of state, instead of selling it she just gave it to her daughter (the person who owes me money). I still have the papers we signed

Answer: You can sue her in small claims court.


Title: How far from a restroom can you work?

Question:
I do construction and the nearest bathroom is 9 floors away and the only way up is a single freight elevator used by EVERYONE. Sometimes it takes 10 minutes before the elevator reaches my floor, then i have to wait for it to drop people off on the way up! Ive almost had an incident more than once. How far can the nearest restroom even be?
Can i demand to use the restroom on my floor?

Answer: This is an interesting question without a clear answer. Osha guidelines require "reasonable" access to bathrooms and I believe the distance guideline is a quarter mile, which would probably take a slow walker about ten minutes to do. So if it takes you significantly more than ten minutes to reach the toilet, there's at least an argument that's not reasonable under OSHA guidelines. Have you expressed your concerns and asked for you and other employees to be given access to a closer bathroom? If your requests for reasonable access are ignored, it might be worth looking into an OSHA complaint.


Title: Losing civilian bonus due to USAF duties

Question: The job advertised as 14/hr at a call center in akron (50 mins away from me) after applying there they then said it drops to $9/hr if you miss any time in that pay period (2 weeks) Theyre now telling me for sure theyll drop me to $9 if I have a training weekend intersect with their concrete schedule (Which always includes a weekend day) Do I have any rights in this situation?

Answer: Yes, this sounds like it would run afoul of USERRA protections. You can speak to a local chapter of the ESGR and see if their ombudsman can help reach out to your civilian employer to educate them on USERRA;  and can also help you if it turns into a retaliation or discrimination legal case.


Title: TX - Found $300 Visa Gift Card on Ground

Question:
I found a Visa gift card on the street the other day. There was no name on it. When I called the number on the back, it said there was a balance of ~$300. I assumed this was just like finding cash, so I then went to a store and purchased some things.
The next day, I checked the balance again and it had been reported lost/stolen.
I understand that this was clearly a moral lapse of judgement, and I feel terrible about it, but I did not steal the card and thought at the time there was no way of being able to find the owner.
What are the chances that the police will pursue this? And if so that they would have a good case against me.
EDIT: Looks like I can actually log in to a visa website and possibly try to get the card owner's information. If I can find the owner, Is it too late to make things right?

Answer: Yes, you picked up money that wasn't yours and used it, that's fraud/theft. They can absolutely track the last place it was used, have camera footage pulled, boom there you are.


Title: My parents want me to help them buy a house- they have cash and want to deposit it into my account, and I write them a check... Is this okay?

Question: My old-fashioned parents own a small business (it is nothing sketchy, they own a dry cleaner's) and over the last 30 years they have stoked away a lot of cash... Yes I know how cash depreciates and they should have not done that, but this is not about that. They are currently about to buy a house; they will pay most of it off, but the remaining 100k or so, they want to pay it in cash. To do this, they want to deposit money into my account, and they want me to periodically write them a check for the mortgage. I do have a full time job (I do not work for my parents), but I am a little scared. Is this okay to do? Is this against the law in any way? I currently live in the U.S.

Answer:
 Honestly, if it's just unclean because of taxes. (as in it's just undeclared money rather than money from blatantly illegal activities) the IRS is actually pretty understanding about getting up to date.

They'll definitely have to pay taxes on it and it would be more than it would be otherwise since it will be all in a single year so at a higher marginal rate and probably a penalty as well but that money can become clean pretty easily. If they want to figure a way to declare it with the business they should consult with a tax attorney and follow their advice. Also, might be a good time to make a big investment into the business to offset some of the gains from that if they have any big plans.

You can help them make the money usable by themselves rather than commit a felony. (Note, they will have to pay taxes on it, but it should have been paid in the first place so don't think of it as so much of a loss)


Title: [META] Moderator of /r/law advocates banning /r/legaladvice to the Reddit admins in a mod news announcement.

Answer:
 Despite their insistence to the contrary, it really does read like the mod team of /r/law sulking because /r/legaladvice is more popular.

On the other hand, /r/legaladvice was a much more interesting sub before it got popular enough to attract the attention of bored trolls and people writing fiction exercises. I wouldn't mind if it got taken off the popular list.Answer #2: 97% of legaladvice posts are "You need to get a lawyer."


Title: Cousin birthed baby that wasn't expected to live, doctors/nurses didn't care for baby AT ALL even when alive in womb during labor.

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 The dollar value of your baby surviving for 30 seconds after being delivered versus your baby being born dead is zero.

I'm not seeing any damages here.  The doctors did what they did for your cousin's safety and well-being.

It would have been irresponsible for the doctors to approach this with the baby in mind.

Your cousin thinks she'd feel better about the whole situation if she'd got the chance to potentially see her baby thrashing about in hypoxic spasms or having a seizure before its heart stopped beating.  She's wrong.
Answer #2: > they told her not to push and ignore the contractions.

It's normal not to push until the cervix is fully dilated in labor.

>again, tell her not to push.(The baby unfortunately was breech)

It's normal not to push while they're trying to reposition a breech baby.

> She said the doctor grabbed the baby's body, turned it enough to, from what my wife thought, do damage to the neck.

Newborns are extremely flexible.  It is normal to have to rotate the child's head to get it through the birth canal in the easiest way.

What you have described sounds like a completely normal birth.

I'm sorry for your loss but it sounds as if you are putting your anger on the doctors when it should be directed against the universe.  There was nothing they could have done for this child.
Answer #3: > I know this is a long story, but the simple question is, can the doctor be held liable for their actions described above?

Medical malpractice is a very fact-specific field.  You'll need to talk to a medical malpractice specialist about this.


Title: I think my apartment complex has changed our rent amount and forged our signatures.

Question:
Today (the 28th) I got a letter from the office saying that we have a pet that we are not allowed to have, and that we have 24 hours to get rid of it. The date on the letter says the 27th (yesterday) and that it was hand delivered when actually I found it stuck inside my door. We have no pets, but there is a stray cat that likes to hang out outside my house. She is not mine in any way. The letter also says that after 24 hours,  we will be charged $100 a day for violating the lease.

Also, on the next page is a copy of our lease agreement that says our rent is $690. It's not, it's $650, like we agreed to in December last year. But the crazy party is that our initials are at the bottom of the copy, like we signed it. But we didn't. I'd never pay that much for this place, and my boyfriend and I both agree that we have always paid $650 since March, and that is what it said on the paper we signed last year.

So when we moved here in March 2014, our rent was 640, and then December 2014 we agreed to start paying $10 more a month (which is $650) starting March 2015.

What is happening? I'm going to the office first thing in the morning, but I am just so confused. How can our initials be on something we never agreed to? Why would they say they gave me a letter the day before they did, and that it was hand delivered when it wasn't? I feel kind of intimidated, like if I don't handle this right I'm going to be in trouble.

Location: TX

Answer:
 You should have a copy of the lease you signed.... Take a look at that. Also check for any language regarding penalties for violations of the lease. Answer #2: IANAL - However, I would provide a letter to them, both hand delivered and sent by certified mail, saying the following:

I received your letter dated [date] claiming I am maintaining a pet at my apartment in violation of my lease. I believe this letter was sent to me in error as I have, at no time, possessed a pet at this property. I do not own a pet and have not let an animal into the premises.

Best Regards.
Startled_Butterfly

When you go to talk to them in the morning do not mention the stray cat. You don't want to muddy the waters. Let them bring that up. You can say you've seen one but you haven't interacted with it, fed it, watered it etc. You assumed it belonged to someone else.


Title: "Illegal start from stop causing accident" Should I fight this?

Question:
I live in Southern Nevada.

So recently I got in a very minor fender bender. I rolled into and rear ended a car in front of me when exiting the freeway. I was exiting to the right and looking to the left. The only damage were a couple of scratches and a small inch long crack in the guy's rear plastic fender.

So we pull over and he calls the police and after making us sit there an hour (not exaggeratting) the officer gives me an "Unsafe start from a stop causing an accident" ticket for $400. It's absolutely asinine to me that I can be ticketed for this. It was an accident. Not a crime.

I filled out a voluntary statement (probably fucked myself there) saying that I rolled into the guy. Because I did. I specifically said I never accelerated because I didn't. Now I've noticed my brake fluid needs to be changed. It's having trouble engaging. So I'm starting to wonder if I even intentionally let off or if I started rolling because the brake was slowly disengaging itself.

Anyway, should I try fighting this? Should I take it to a "ticket fix" lawyer? Should I request a contiuance and then go to court hoping the police officer doesn't show up?

Edit: If I decide to fight this can the officer testify against me given he didn't witness the accident? Can he testify on behalf of the other guy or present the written statements or how does that even work?

Answer:
 "Unsafe start from a stop causing an accident" isn't a crime. It's a traffic violation.

You rear-ended someone. You are liable, always.


Title: [Ohio] In Toledo, where marijuana is somewhat "decriminalized" I was cited for possession and paraphernalia.

Question:
I just want to know how this will go in court and what I should do. Both charges are maximum $150 fines, correct? But there is city legislation decriminalizing possession of marijuana under 200g, IIRC. I'm concerned with my record and would like to express that to a judge. Also, when I was a minor I got a possession charge, went through probation, and it has been >1 year since I got off.
Thanks for the help!

Edit: I called the public defender's office and they told me I could face 30 days?! I'm really freaking out now, I didn't think that was possible.

Answer:
 Unfortunately a paraphernalia charge is completely separate from a drug charge and wouldn't be automagically allowed when they decriminalize the substance. Yeah I know, it's stupid.

Talk to a lawyer. While the possession charge maybe reduced, the paraphernalia may not.Answer #2: Get a lawyer and hope there is a diversion program or making it a disordely conduct. That said, under Ohio law it is not a criminal conviction. 2925.11(d):

Arrest or conviction for a minor misdemeanor violation of this section does not constitute a criminal record and need not be reported by the person so arrested or convicted in response to any inquiries about the person's criminal record, including any inquiries contained in any application for employment, license, or other right or privilege, or made in connection with the person's appearance as a witness.


Title: Choked by drunk neighbor after messing with a lamp he owns

Question:
California

I came home late last night to a mutual courtyard space that my neighbors shared and "as a joke" grabbed up a lamp from the courtyard table and shook it between my palms.

 There were four people there and they yelled at me to stop and I didn't and my 50 something year old neighbor, who it turns out owns the lamp, stood up and shoved me.

 I didn't stop and he shoved me again yelling at me to stop and I didn't and he shoved me once more yelling at me and I didn't stop and then Someone took the lamp from me and this guy put his hands around my neck and choked me and yelled at me and hit my head against the wall several times (I have an instinct not to fight when people attack me) and then he let me go and went and sat down and we sat down and talked about it and he felt it was okay to choke me because "I  don't have boundaries"

 Eventually he apologized for choking me and I apologized for shaking the lamp but I can still feel his hands on my neck - my throat actually hurts. Now I know what I did was both dumb and irritating but I'm having a hard time just letting myself be choked by a grown man and moving on.

This guy is my neighbor and his house adjoins mine at the front doors and I'm kinda worried about the whole situation. Should I report him for battery? What would the outcome be?

Answer: The guy had no right to shove or choke you, but I'm really struggling to understand what you expected to happen by antagonizing people like this.


Title: Employer discriminating against previous work history

Question: so i know it will sound dumb, and it is. but its the principle behind this situation that makes me salty. I work at a really large online retailer, and was hired as a regular customer service guy like a year ago. I then found a job at corporate, in a completely different field and different job title than just basic CS, and applied for the job and got it, so i went to work at the actual HQ. So at HQ, they provide new hires all sorts of goodies like backpacks and water bottles and stuff, and while doing this on our first day of training, they purposely singled me out because I worked in Customer Service before so I'm technically not a new hire with the company. The issue with this is CS is a completely different department, in a different location, and we didnt get any cool stuff for being hired. so because i was affiliated with the company before being hired for a new job, I don't get any cool stuff, while Joe Shmo over here gets a bunch of free stuff! What kind of legal bs can I pull out of my ass to convince them to cave in and give me the cool stuff that everybody else got?

Answer:
 Don't even try. It sounds like a great way to get fired.Answer #2: >What kind of legal bs can I pull out of my ass to convince them to cave in and give me the cool stuff that everybody else got?

You can threaten to quit if they don't give you the cool stuff. Or, you know, just ask nicely.

They are not required by law to give you the stuff. "Already worked for the company" is not a protected class, and they are welcome to discriminate on that basis.


Title: Unannounced Apartment Visit by Management Resulting in a Pet charge, Pet was already removed

Question:
I had a dog visiting my apartment on the 31st.  The maintenance people came to the apartment, unannounced on the 31st.  I have proof that there was no announcement of visitation.  They are now trying to charge me $500.00 for having a pet there.  It clearly states in their lease contract that they must give 48 hours notice before entering.  I was hoping to get a template of a letter to send to the accounts manager stating this and asking them to remove the fee?  Is that something I can legally do?
Topic:
Landlord Tenant Housing

Answer: I was in your same situation, and I do landlord-tenant law for a living. I am in Louisiana though. All I was able to get was no eviction and they let me prorate the pet fee and retroactively just add dog to the lease and let pooch come over whenever. Problem is you violated the lease and that has consequences/breach of lease. They breached the lease aswell and that has consequences. Problem is your relief for breach is way worse than their relief so it may behoove you to work things out.


Title: (MI) Separated from wife, she lost the house to foreclosure without saying anything

Question:
Obligatory this is not me, and I’m on mobile, but a close friend of mine that was rocked with this the day after Christmas.

He has been separated from his wife for just over 2 years. His name is(was) still on their mortgage and he made the payments for the last 27 years. They are still married, but the house went through foreclosure and is already sold and she never even told him that she was getting behind on payments, let alone that the house was being repossessed.

He was contacted by the new owner to tell him that he had to have all his stuff out by this weekend. He is absolutely devastated and now is getting nothing for this house. Shouldn’t he be entitled to anything? Or is she liable because she never made him aware? I’d like to try and help him but he is so depressed he’s already just given up.

If there is any questions I can try to find out more information. He never signed any documents, was never contacted independently by the bank, literally found out about by the new owner telling him to get his belongings out.

Answer: He should file for divorce. If there was anything left over from when the house was sold the couple got it back in a refund. This is why people are advised not to pursue this living arrangement.


Title: My friends parents will not let him have a his cars he paid for.

Question:
I friend of mine is having a hard time getting his cars back from his father. The cars were transferred to his  father's name after they were bought 2 years ago. My friend paid for the both cars with his own money he had saved from work. About a month ago around his 19 birthday his father told him he wasn't letting him have to cars when he moved. A few days ago he took one of the cars and hid it somewhere. My question is what can be done for him to get the car back...
Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer: The car is titled in dad's name. So it's not your friend's car.


Title: [Montana] My landlord is selling the house I live in and having strangers (future landlords...) touring every room and closet of my house with only 24hr notice is already really disrupting my life. Do I have any recourse at all?

Question:
My husband and I pay a lot so we can live alone. The main reason we like living alone is that when we are busy we can just leave dirty clothes on the floor and stop cleaning the kitchen for a few weeks and it's no big deal. We don't keep the closets neat and accessible; they're closets, we just throw shit in there and don't show them to people.

I keep crying randomly. I'm so stressed out at work but I've had to take off a day and a half to clean and organize the house because it was a shambles when they told me they're selling (Tuesday) and the first showing is tomorrow fucking morning. My only hope for not being forced to move at the end of my lease is that an investor buys the place and doesn't raise the rent more than 3%, and I'm feeling very pessimistic about all of that.

Do I have any right to make them limit the showings to one or two days a month that I know well in advance so I can at least plan my life around them? Is 24 hours really all I'm legally entitled to before the future owners of my life get to sniff through everything in my home? I have no idea where I can find out what my rights are in this situation and I don't want to live like this for the rest of the year.

Answer:
 24 hours is typucally considered adequate notice. If they start trying to do showing every day or something you may have a complaint but if they are touring through one or two people a week it is probably not an issue and so far it sounds like they haven't even done one?

Edit: Also, does your lease not have some clause about keeping the apartment reasonably clean? Not cleaning a kitchen for a few weeks may fall outside that definition.


Title: My son hasn't attended his daycare in a week and today I discontinued his enrollment. Now, apparently, I am responsible for three weeks of payments for services not rendered?

Question:
I am pulling him out because they are (unofficially) religious, I am displeased with their service in this manner. They seem to teach more of religion than letters and words and other things.

When I kept him out of daycare last week, it was because he was sick, and I've been home from work anyways. We found a better daycare, started him there  (just this morning), and now the old daycare says that we're responsible for last week AND the next two, even if he doesn't come.

This is legit, at least the two weeks notice that I should have apparently given. It is in the pamphlet. However, it is not in the pamphlet that it is a religious daycare, and was never told it was until after he was enrolled.

Am I not entitled to cancel his enrollment there for this? Is the fact that I have a valid complaint supersede that part of the contract? What could they do if we refuse to pay?

Answer:
 > Am I not entitled to cancel his enrollment there for this?

You are entitled to cancel his enrollment at any time.  Per your contract, you owe two weeks notice, so you owe them two weeks.  Unless they specifically broke the wording of the contract(i.e., they promised you zero religion in writing) you have no recourse.Answer #2: Most daycares that I know of require you to pay regardless of whether or not you keep you child home for a day, or even a week. That's because you're paying for a "spot", which you can use as often as you want. It's also common practice to require a notice period if you want to cancel during the contract term. Not a lawyer, but if it's all laid out in your contract you're bound to those terms. Also, unless they advertised that they are a NOT religious school, I doubt you have grounds for a suit here. IANAL though. Just speaking from personal experience


Title: No parking sign obscured by foliage - should I fight the ticket (Toronto)?

Question:
I was parking by the Hearn station in Toronto and pulled up in front of another parked car by the side of the road. I've driven this stretch of road before and on long weekends there are often cars parked by the side of the road, so I thought the spot was safe to park in. I even looked around and there were no signs to be seen.  When I returned 2hrs later, I had a ticket on my windshield for $50.00.  Walking around my car, I noticed a no parking sign that was behind foliage and completely obscured by branches of a tree 4-5m in front of my car and 2-3m into the forest.

It isn't a huge amount, but I am slightly annoyed that this happened - I had to apologize to my date and convince her not to chip in for the fine amount.

Should I fight this ticket, and if so, how?

Answer: Did you take a photo of the obscured sign?  That's probably the only very very slim chance you'll have of dodging this.


Title: [OK] Teenager sent me pictures of him in his underwear and I’m freaking out

Question:
A 14 year old who was on my friends list on an online game kept asking to for nudes jokingly, and I said I wouldn’t even joke about that.

Then he asked to send me pics and he “wouldn’t tell” to which I told him I was not a pedo and didn’t want to get put on a list. I tried to explain the laws but he didn’t care, and said he would instead send me porn of someone who was 18. Again I said that was fucking weird and threatened to block him. He responded with “I’m sending a pic” and I quickly blocked him before he could.

Unfortunately he messaged my insta with pictures of him in his briefs (his face not visible). I deleted the messages and blocked him again.

I’m fucking shaking because I’m scared that I got CP. What should I do? Do I need to go to the police? Idk what state he is in.
Topic:
Juvenile and Youth Law

Answer: You're fine. If he's wearing underwear it is unlikely to meet the bar for child porn. Even if he did send you child porn blocking him and deleting the pics is appropriate.


Title: [CA] Illegally Fired for using sick time. Want the termination cleared.

Question: [deleted]

Answer: You do realize that your "permanent record" is a myth, right? There's no central database of fired vs resigned...


Title: I'm fighting with my school district.

Question:
They want to suspend me WITHOUT pay over a couple Facebook posts (no mention of school name or people names - very harmless, small town butt hurt, I'm the outsider).

I am representing myself and we exchanged discovery questions.
1) we weren't scheduled to exchange witness lists or exhibits until later but they asked for all of my supporting documentation...
2) they want me to print all of my Facebook posts with comments for the past 4 months. How is that even possible?!
3) what if I no longer have the information on a question they asked?

The school's attorney knows I'm representing myself, are they just trying to railroad me?

Can I object at this stage? Not answer or not  produce documents?

Answer: If you are going up against the attorney for the school district you should know that those lawyers have many years of experience, are highly specialized, and it's difficult for fully licensed and experienced attorneys to win cases against them. It is fully impossible for you to. Contact your union if you have one, they may help with legal representation. If you have none, you need to retain private counsel or this will be an expensive and time consuming loss.


Title: Do I listen to my landlord?

Question:
Sorry if this is the wrong subreddit I’m very new to reddit
A while ago a repair guy came to fix our oven, and my landlord said he would pay them. That was about two months ago and I assumed he had paid, but the repair service called saying they haven’t been paid and if they aren’t paid soon they have to come take the part away. Long story short, my landlord won’t pay so they’re taking the part away and want to know what day they can come. My landlord lives out of state and but he’s flying over to the house later this month, so I told the repair company to come at the time my landlord is coming, but they said that was too late and they have to come either today or  tomorrow. I told this to my landlord and he said don’t let them in, if they come to the door call the police on them. I’m obviously not gonna call the police on them, but what do I do? Do I listen to my landlord or let them in? I gave my signature allowing them to do this repair and stuff so they say I legally have to let them in tomorrow but it’s my landlords property and he’s telling me I can’t let them in. I just feel really lost about what to do.

Answer:
 Absolutely don't let someone into your house to repossess it. If someone shows up demanding payment or the item, tell them to leave. If they don't leave, call the police.

You authorized the repair, so they can sue you. You would pay them and then have your landlord reimburse you (or, depending on your state... which you didn't mention, by the way, *possibly* withhold rent).

Also, stop dealing with these people. Give them your landlord's phone number and tell them to sort it out with him.Answer #2: For starters - you do not have to let them into your place. For second - stop talking to them and direct their inquires to the owner of the property.


Title: I've been conned and so have the police and the courts!

Question:
I will need to bore you with all the details. Sorry it's a lot to read. I want to know who in the court system will make her pay for her lies. Who is the one i should write to?

I pick and repurpose, i collect and resell as a means of extra income. I've been doing this for about 20 years. I know a few antique dealers that sometimes buy my items and I sell online too.
In May of 2015 I noticed that a consignment shop opened near where I work. I brought some of my things in for them to sell. There was a back up at the counter so there was a girl taking items and listing them on a receipt to help the owner. I was given the list without values because they said they use an appraiser and then tell me how much each item is worth.
After i receive the value list i can decide to consign or not to consign any item. I was told it could take a week or two. I received the consignor contract and signed and returned it to the owner. I allowed one month to pass before stopping in to ask about the values of my items. The owner asked for more time because of the overload of work to do.

I stopped by several times and didnt even see my items in the shop. The owner wasnt always there so i sent emails and texts asking for a reply. The employee told me at one point that the owner wasn't present because she just had a baby and the baby was still in the hospital. When I saked the owner how her baby was doing she said she didn't have a baby...?

I asked where my items were and I was told in her storage room. She wont sell anything before I give the ok to consign. I said I didn't get the value from her and the appraiser yet. I was told because her appraiser was setting up a website to make it easy for me to see all my items and just click the ones that I agree to sell and delete the ones that I don't agree to sell.

I had trouble getting the owner to contact me. I felt like she was avoiding me. I pointed this out to her and she said she wanted to do me a favor and just straight up buy my items. She said she would send me a bank check for $1000 by certified mail. About 2 weeks went by and i got an email telling me to look for the mail to arrive. I waited another week and allerted her to the fact that no check came. I asked for the tracking number and she said she will just send a replacement check. I waited for another week. No check came. I have some emails from both of us confirming this. She insisted she mailed 2 checks.
I realized that somehow six months had passed since i dropped off my things. Now it was time for me to just retrieve my items and move on. I stopped by the shop several times to arrange for the pick up. The store was either closed due to inclement weather or it was opened but the owner was not in. I decided to finally leave a message with the college student working there. I  requested a date from the owner to pick up my items. The owner confirmed by email i was scheduled for that coming friday and everything was ready for me. Notice the inconsistencies?

Arriving on timethat friday with my daughter along with me because she needed a ride home from community college that day. We got out of our car and observed the owner pull up to the curb in her car. We were shocked when she came at us with her finger pointed at me and saying that I am DISGUSTING, A THIEF AND A LIAR!
I stood there not really sure what was happening. She repeated how disgusting I am and went on to say that she found out that my husband cashed the bank check that was signed for by registered mail that very morning!  Little did she know that I use my mother's home address where I grew up and my husband has no access to their mail. She refused to show me any proof of her registered mail receipt or the supposed bank check. I immediately told my daughter to get back into our car and I called the police. She called the police as well and told them that she gave me a chck for $1500 and she needed them to issue a complaint against me so she could take me to court! WHAT?!
The police officers weren't sure what to do. I requested they ask her to show her proof or else return my items. They said it was a she said, she said situation. She admitted to selling some of my things and agreed to list them and issue me a check to show her "honesty". She also agreed to give me my items that did not sell. WHAT?! Didn't she say she paid me for everything and she was going to sue me? Thats what the police report says. But she went into her so called "storage room" which is a "pod" in her parking lot. She literally climbed on other customers vintage heirloom items that were in piles! She found a couple of my things and gave me a bag of things she said was the jewelry. I dumped it into my hand and it was just buttons! I showed the police officer and he said he couldn't stay there all day sorting this out. I pointed out how clearly she was up to something. She is full of lies.
I was given the order to complete the complaint and take it to the court. I was just sickened over the whole thing! I had to pick up my son's girlfriend and  return home from this ordeal. I broke down to tears in front of her and my daughter!
I went to cash the check  the owner issued for the items (she was never approved to sell) and the bank refused to cash it. I drove to the shop 2 blocks away and asked the owner why it wouldn't clear. She said it should clear but she will give me another check. Well, the bank refused to cash it as well. I went to the shop again and asked the owner to come with me to the bank. She agreed but said she had to wait an hour for someone to watch the store. I thanked her and went to wait outside in my car. Looking out the window I noticed the salon next door and decided to get a haircut while I waited.
About 30 minutes into my haircut the stylist and I noticed the police outside looking around the building and in the windows. When I was done and exited the salon I was approached by the police saying the owner of the consignment shop said that I was harassing her! I explained that she agreed to go to the bank with me to cash a check. They said she told them that I demanded cash and refused to leave her alone! I was put on another police complaint report!

Now, at home there were more important things for me to focus on so I had to let this go. I told people close to me that I am not interested in worrying about this anymore. I said God will work it out in His own way. I'm done with it.

On a mild winter day in January I decided to walk to the bank to cash my paycheck. I ran into the hairdresser who cut my hair the day the police came looking in the window. I told her about why they were there, that they were looking for me! I went off on my way and while walking back to my office after the bank, the police stopped me in the street and said the consignment shop owner called them to complain that I was outside her business slandering her! I refused to talk with them and said she is crazy.

A short time passed and i decided to finally take her to small claims court for non payment of my items and to report her to the n.y.s. license and business bureau. I felt that someone doing business with the public should not be able to get away with this kind of behavior. I attempted to photograph the hours of operation on the store window and the owner was looking at me through the store window. She called my office and told them that I stole from her and was cursing at her in public and slandering her business. She told them that they should be concerned having such a dishonest person working for them!

Right after work that very day i went to the police station to inquire about harassment. I explained what the owner did and the desk sergent told me it was not a crime to harass someone unless they threaten my life. I was surprised by that so i made sure i understood correctly before i left. Then i called the police records department and ordered copies of the false police claims against me. I also went to the small claims court for the rules book and forms for a complaint.

A week later i got a call late at night from the police asking me to stop by because they had questions. I went the very next day. The officer took me into a room and read me my rights and then asked me to tell him about this consignment shop owner. I told him just about eveything I just wrote above. He said I am being charged with "aggrevated harassment with intent to harm"! The owner said that I called her on the phone and threatened to kill her! I had to accept the charge or be arrested! I was given a temporary restraining order by the sheriff and given a date to appear in criminal court! I left the police department and got into my car and broke down crying again.

The next day I called a lawyer. I have been to court 8 times now and the person who made all this up has not been required to appear. Each month she promised to present her evidence to the D.A. she failed to supply any such evidence.

I can not believe this can actually happen to someone. The accuser is a liar and cost me thousands of dollars not to mention what it cost tax payers!

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?
 WHO CAN HELP ME?
MY LAWYER SAYS, IT IS WHAT IT IS AND IT'S ALL UP TO THE JUDGE.....UNLESS I HAVE $7800 FOR A TRIAL FEE! Which I don't.
Aaaaaahhhh!
REALLY?!

Answer:
 You couldn't pay me to read all of that.  Maybe you can condense it down to a paragraph.Answer #2: Do you have a TL:DR?Answer #3: What is your question?  You've said that you're awaiting trial and no evidence is showing up.  So you have to wait until trial or the case is dismissed.

If you believe your items were stolen, you can sue for their value.


Title: (MN, USA) are private businesses required to hire disabled people, women, different ethnicities, or different age groups?

Question: I'm just curious because my workplace hires lots of different types of people and it made me curious as to whether or not there was a law in place about that.

Answer:
 They are required not to discriminate against people for being members of those groups. I suppose if none ever applied, they would need not hire.

Depending on where you live in MN, women, disabled people, and different ethnicities make up 55%-70% of the population, so it is not surprising that many people from those groups have been hired. I'm not even sure how to quantify how unsurprising it is that you might find "different age groups" employed.


Title: My Fiances employer in WI is forcing them to sign this contract and will withhold pay until they do.

Question:
This can't be legal can it?  Here is a picture of the contract they're forcing them to sign http://imgur.com/iMvgq4D Thanks in advance to any help given!
Topic:
Contracts

Answer: Can't withhold pay (s)he has earned and is owed. But, they can force a signing before hiring. They also can terminate for not signing.


Title: Precluding or mitigating grandparent rights [OH]

Question:
I have a friend with a life threatening disease and risky operation in his not distant future.  He has a wife and very young son.  His relationship with his mother is very poor and she has made threats against his wife and her family, as well as other vague and concerning threats.  She likely suffers from some severe undiagnosed mental illness.  There have been no police reports made or legal actions taken against her at this time.

I know grandparent custodial rights are considered a bit of a unicorn in these parts, but my friend is concerned that the stakes are potentially too high to not seek more information moving forward.

In case it matters: his relationship with his father is decent and there would be no problem with his wife and kid seeing him regularly.  His mother and father are not in a relationship with each other.

So: while he is still of sound mind and (relatively) sound body, are there legal ways to decrease the chances of his mother getting any visitation rights with his son in the event of his passing?

Answer:
 Ohio has a grandparents visitation rights law.  It is an easy Google"Ohio Grandparents visitation rights law", but the .gov responses are PDF's

 As long as your friend is alive , he can choose to not allow his mother to have contact with teh child. Once he is dead, she has the standing to request visitation; whether she is granted visitation is another matter.

Your friend needs to talk to an Ohio family law lawyer to set up provisions that will prevent his mother having contact or visitation after his death.

IamaL. I am not your lawyer nor your friends. This is information, not advice

Answer #2: Has grandmother ever had any contact?  If the kids don't even know her, there's .00001% chance she will be granted rights unless the parents agree to it.


Title: (California) Property manager illegally entered my apartment, saw that I was violating the lease, and now wants to enter at any point with no notice.

Question:
I rent an apartment that doesn't allow pets. I've been "hiding" my cat and just boarding her any time we had to have work done on the apartment.

The property manager for the apartments has often played loosely with her legal requirements for notice to enter, etc. Last month, she called me and told me that she'd be "popping in" really quick to take a look at our air conditioner. I told her that I wasn't comfortable with that and she was required to give me 24 hours. I finally relented after making it clear that this was not okay, and ran home to move the cat. My neighbors moved out, so they've been doing a lot of work on their apartment, and she's been over to ours quite a bit as well since we share an attic space.

The other day when I got home, there were people working on the apartment next door, and my deadbolt was locked. I never lock the deadbolt, and my property manager always does when she enters. So from that, I guessed that she illegally entered with no notice. I'm guessing she knew I wouldn't let her and she just figured it was a quick second and the rules didn't apply or something. So, I'm pretty sure that she saw my cat. She didn't say anything about being in the apartment and I didn't bring it up because I didn't know if she'd seen anything.

Now she's just posted a notice on my door that due to the work going on next door, she's going to possibly be entering at any time with no notice for the next two weeks. (Maybe to have an excuse to legitimately "discover" my cat.) Is she allowed to do this?

Answer:
 "I demand my landlord follow the strict letter of our lease regarding notice whilst I completely ignore the same lease and keep a pet!"

Is that about right?Answer #2: Her actions may be in violation of the lease and/or law, but that won't change the fact that you're in breach by having a pet.


Title: The condo I rented was rendered uninhabitable, now I'm $10k in the hole

Question:
Shortest version:

I'm mold-sensitive and starting having a bad reaction within days of moving into new rental. Found no mold in the unit, but I'm a reliable canary and there was clearly a problem. Doctor advised me to move out until the issue was addressed because of severity of symptoms.

FFWD 2 months: after dicking around with unresponsive HOA, I got the health dept involved. City inspection yielded many **"failure to maintain" violations** that had created a veritable toxic mold forest in the 50' x 50' crawl space under my unit (separate from the condo itself).

Like an idiot, I acted in good faith during all this and have been paying for everything, including hotel costs above + beyond the rent I was refunded. Landlord just served a termination of lease letter, which seems in bounds(ish) but also has some BS I know better than to sign.

She also says **I'm on my own with all out of pockets, lost wages, moving costs, because as a building issue, it's the HOA's domain and "beyond her control".**

Called 25+ lawyers, none will touch a mold case.

I know I'm getting screwed but don't even know where to begin.

Am in Colorado. Help?

((Thanks))

Answer:
 You have a decent fact pattern for a violation of the Implied Warranty of Habitability.

There are typically four options someone has when this happens which fall under an acronym that we used in law school called MR3

You can:

-Move out and end the lease (T doesn't have to)
-Repair and deduct from rent
-Reduce rent or withhold all rent until court figures out rental value
-Remain in possession, pay rent and seek money damages


Title: Landlord screamed at my boyfriend and I over leaving a window open, want to break lease

Question:
We live in the US, in Rhode Island. Last week, the landlord taped an aggressive letter to the door of each apartment in the building because he thought the water bill was too high and he threatened raising rent.

Yesterday he called me asking why one of our windows was open while the heat was on, and I told him we were airing out the kitchen because we were cooking and I closed the window.

This morning I also had one window open a crack and I left for work without closing it. I understand why this would piss the guy off. But he screamed through the window of my apartment about it being open. My boyfriend was still home and they had a screaming match. Then he called me and started screaming to turn the heat off and threatened to throw us out. My boyfriend turned off the heat and left the window open because that is what he preferred. The Landlord called me again screaming because the window was still open. I told him the heat was turned off. He was incomprehensible for a moment and told me to call my boyfriend and tell him to shut the window. I said I would and he called my boyfriend a freak before hanging up. The window was then shut.

I don't want to live here anymore because I am uncomfortable with this guy. We have about 6 months left on our lease. I have no idea what I can do to break the lease and move out.

Answer:
 Unfortunately you can't break the lease because of this, but he _also_ can't evict or raise your rent over something so petty unless it's in your lease agreement.

If he tries to evict you without going through the proper channels, that's when you call the police for an illegal eviction.Answer #2: If he's threatening to throw you out, and you **want** to move out, then it looks like you and your landlord are on the same page, so you can agree to move out. If you want to be jerky about it, you can tell him that you intend to leave the window open whenever you feel like it, for as long as you feel like it, and have the legal right to do so. You can also say you will choose to run the heater as often as you want. If he has an issue with that, he can sign this letter agreeing to end your lease.

Then on a piece of paper, write, *"For the lease dated June 1, 2015* (or whatever day you signed the lease)*, the expiration of the lease term is amended from May 31, 2016* (or whatever day your lease currently ends) *to December 15, 2015* (or whatever day you want to move out)."

Sign it, and have the landlord sign it. If he's already holding last month's rent, you'll have to put something in about refunding half the last month's rent (if you only stay half of your last month).


Title: [MI] Discount Tire Refusing to Return Vehicle Because Tire Tread is "Dangerously Low."

Question: So my tires are old. One of them is also slowly leaking air. I don't think the two are related (I think I ran over a nail or something and just have a small leak), so I went into to Discount Tire to have the tire looked at. They told me there was a chance I might not get my vehicle back if the tread is too low because it's unsafe, so they wouldn't be able to put the tire back on my car or they would refuse to put the tire on (I'm not sure which). Either way, I'd be stranded there with no options except to buy new tires from them. That seems really shady. If they take the tire off my car, can they really refuse to put it back on or basically seize my vehicle and refuse to let me drive it?

Answer:
 No, they can't. That's a classic shady mechanic tactic. If they give you any trouble tell them they either give you or car or you're calling the cops. Don't let them bully you into buying anything from them.

Edit: Feel free to rip these assholes apart on Yelp for trying to pull that tired old scam on you.


Title: SAE OU expulsions

Question: Location is Oklahoma, do you think that the expulsions of the students will stand? Obviously they are dicks, but doesn't the first amendment kick in here because this is a public, not private University?

Answer:
 > Location is Oklahoma, do you think that the expulsions of the students will stand?

The two students involved are the ones that led the chant.  I think they would be amazingly stupid to pursue it, as it would *ensure* that the scandal would be tied to them forever.

The students were expelled, in part, for threatening other students.  That's more than enough for an expulsion.Answer #2: Eugene Volokh has a good summary of the issue [here.](http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2015/03/10/no-a-public-university-may-not-expel-students-for-racist-speech/)


Title: Indiegogo scam

Question: I put down money for a indiegogo campaign 2 years ago and still have not received the product..is there anyway I can get my money back?I've emailed the company and no reply I've emailed indiegogo and no reply as well..Nyc

Answer:
 In crowdfunding you’re not buying, you’re investing, with all the risks that entails. There’s probably nothing at all you can do. Indiegogo lays it out in their terms:

“It's important to know that you are not buying an existing product.

Like anyone getting in on an early-stage project, you accept the risk that the project may experiences changes, delays, unforeseen challenges, and it's possible that a project you fund might not come to fruition. We leave it up to you to make your own judgment about a campaign’s merits before making a contribution.”

More here: https://support.indiegogo.com/hc/en-us/articles/526816-How-to-Evaluate-a-Campaign
Answer #2: It's not a scam, basically Indiegogo is a service where you agree to donate money, and you may get something in return depending on how successful/truthful the company you donated to is.Answer #3: crowdfunding = throwing money away, since it's an investment/donation and not a purchase. It's in the TOS you clicked "agree" to without reading.


Title: How to get a roommate to stop smoking? Cease and desist?

Question:
A little background:

I've lived in the same house for 6 years with one roommate (the owner of the house) and a couple of other ones in the other spot over the years. I've always gotten along fine with them, and it's been a totally successful living arrangement until this year.

The roommate(/landlord and owner of the house) acquired a boyfriend earlier this year. He moved him in without consulting or letting me or my other roommate know, and the boyfriend has been a problem since day one (taking my parking spot, space in the fridge, and finally culminating in smoking in the backyard (which goes directly to my room and all the common areas on the bottom floor). I've repeatedly asked him and my roommate to tell him to not do that and to smoke in the front. It went from him doing it covertly, to him doing it when I'm not home, to him doing it directly in front of me whenever he feels like it, and continually escalating the behavior even though I've asked in a polite direct manner multiple times. I'm quite allergic to the smoke unfortunately, and have been wheezing and coughing all day in response to his latest.

Because things were good for the previous 5 years, and because housing costs are very high where I live, I've been trying to make it work. Now, I'm at a crossroads where I need to move but need the next two months or so to prepare, moving, financially and otherwise.

I've tried every normal adult avenue to solve this problem to no avail. I wonder if my attorney could write a cease and desist letter to scare this awful individual into behaving himself? Is this a waste of my attorney's time/is it legal? Any other avenues? I realize since his boyfriend is the owner of the house I am likely screwed but, would like to pull one last Hail Mary if I can.

Answer: Unless your lease says that smoking is not allowed on the premises, I'm not sure what legal grounds you have for a C&D.Answer #2: Your attorney can write whatever (s)he wants.  Unless the lease specifies no smoking on the premises, then you have no legal ground to require someone else to stop a legal behavior in their own house.  Even if that house is also your house.


Title: Traffic ticket for following too closely (Ohio, Indiana)

Question:
I was going to Chicago for a birthday. My friend from Ohio offered to go with her car. She was driving. I took my radar detector along. There were 4 of us in the car. We were driving in the extreme left lane with the flow of traffic. Not switching lane, not going too fast or too slow. Cruise control was on 70 mph. Moving with the flow, having a nice conversation when we got behind a car with blinkers on. It took us a few seconds to figure out it was a funeral procession so my friend sped up a little to pass a car to her right and then switched lane. On the left median was an undercover patrol car. Before we knew it it was on our tail with lights and sirens on. Never did my radar detector (Passport 9500ix) give any alarm. The cop was a real asshole, pretending he didn't hear what we were saying and making "smart" remarks. He gave the driver a ticket for speeding (73mph in a 55 mph zone) and following too closely. He gave my friend and I, sitting in the back, tickets for not wearing our seat belts on top of everything. The tickets were issued in Indiana and my friend is risking 10 total points on her Ohio DL. My friend has the option to go to court and dispute this whole thing or pay the fines and get her 10 points. I know my radar detector was working because it detected radars before and after that traffic stop. I suspect the cop doesn't have proof that we were speeding (since my radar detector didn't go off at all) and "following too closely" seems to me a really debatable statement. Any suggestions on our actions?
>Thanks
>>P.S. sometime you get a ticket and you feel guilty because inside you know you were doing something wrong, but this time we were just enjoying a conversation in the car, not doing anything extraordinary, not being reckless. I believe we just entered the 55 mph zone and the cop just decided to be an asshole because he saw the radar detector on our windshield when he approached the car.

Answer: No law requires officers to be nice. Your radar detector does not detect lidar.


Title: Infinity Auto Insurance Telling Me I Can't Remove a Person I Have Never Met from My Policy

Question:
Hi, I live in Orlando, FL. I recently purchased a new car and got insurance through Infinity Auto Insurance through a local insurance broker, Mr. Auto. When I purchased the car in January I was living in a house where I was renting a room. My friend's parents owned the house but I went through him. I met his father a few times but never his mother, we'll call her Sally. Shortly after purchasing a car I moved down the road to a new place. I updated my address with Infinity. When I start receiving mail from Infinity,  see that they list Sally, my friend's mother, as being a driver on my policy. As I said, I have never met this woman, let alone live with her. But she was on there. So I called Infinity; they said that when a "consumer report" was done, she showed up as living at the address, and insisted that the only way I could remove her was to have her send in "proof of address, such as a bank statement or utility bill." I didn't matter that I had never met her and she never lived with me, or that I was no longer living at that address. I was told by a representative at Infinity that Mr. Auto had conducted the "consumer report." They insisted they only checked driving history. Neither my friend nor his parents live in Florida anymore, they just own that house. It was been difficult communicating with them and they are inclined to not provide any information to Infinity, as when they had called to try to resolve this, the representative insisted that she had to send a copy of her DRIVERS LICENSE instead of bank statement or utility bill. They also told her that I had not updated my address with them, when in fact I had done it months ago, and have the mail from them to prove it.
What can I do? Is what they did legal? Is there any legal recourse I can take?
I would just drop them but the six month premium was paid in full and I am currently in the process of working out a claim with them.
Please help! Thanks.

Answer: You might want to crosspost to /r/insurance.


Title: I purchased a Car from a Dealer. 30 days later, Dealer Reports the car Stolen!

Question: [deleted]

Answer: Lol it's not a scam. Usually if you don't qualify for their financing, that means you haven't actually **paid** for the car. You need to either pay the dealership for the car or bring it back. He **can** report it stolen if you don't do this.


Title: Wife's ex-bf opened fraudulent credit card in her name, maxed it out to close to $30k. What lawyer do I need to seek counsel?

Question: Like the title says. Wife & I now live in different state than where her ex-bf (& the crime) took place. I'm looking for lawyers but keep finding defense attorneys only. Want to consult with a lawyer who can provide counsel (& pursue potential prosecution if that's the route we take). What kind of lawyer do I need?

Answer:
 A police officer to report the identity theft to.

/r/personalfinance has an extensive wiki on identity theft in their sidebar.


Title: Texas Condominium Law - Dealing with Difficult Neighbors Who Rent

Question:
Hello everyone. I am in a difficult situation and need some legal advice.

I own a unit in a condominium and the unit adjacent to mine has renters living in it who are loud, park their vehicles directly behind others when they don't want to park further away, they trash the community, and are very destructive to community property. What's worse is the male figure living there is very aggressive whenever anyone politely requests him to straighten up his act and the female figure speaks Spanish. I am on the HOA Board and I have spoken to the other board members and the property management company managing our HOA, but no one knows what, if anything, can be done to make this guy correct himself or force him out of our community.

Can anyone provide some options that condo unit owners in similar situations can do to keep unit renters in check?

Answer: Don't you guys have bylaws? Start fining the owner of the condo until he straightens out the tenants or removes them. Your issue is with the owner of the unit and his issue is with the renters.


Title: I was laid off yesterday due to COVID and found out my employer never reported my wages to the Texas Workforce Commission...

Question:
I absolutely need the unemployment benefits as soon as possible, but it's basically impossible to get anyone on the phone at TWC because their lines are so busy and they dont give you the option to wait on hold.

Is there anyone I can contact in Texas that can help expedite this for me? I really don't give a shit about prosecuting my employer (was probably an honest mistake, who knows) I just would like to have my unemployment benefits.

Answer: How did you happen to find out they never reported?


Title: [KY] Can my employer require me to take my meal period?

Question:
Sorry for formatting issues. I'm posting on mobile. Also, posting with a throwaway just in case.

I work for an international company at their KY location. They say that because of OSHA and state law, I am required to take a 30-minute unpaid meal period during my 8-hour shift. I typically don't need a lunch because of my eating habits, and I leave much closer to my scheduled time when I forgo lunch (we can't leave until all duties are completed). I don't skip it to stay on the clock and get paid more, but rather to leave work at a time nearer to my scheduled time.

I understand that they have to OFFER a meal period, but can they require me to take it, even if it means I leave work later?

Answer: Kentucky is one of the only states that REQUIRE employees to yave a meal break. Your employer can be fined if you dont take it. Answer #2: Yes, they can require you to take a break and fire you for refusal to comply.


Title: Took my drunk boyfriend’s car to buy us food, pulled over and got summons for no registration or insurance. What’s the best/worst outcome?

Question:
I’m in Colorado.
Pretty cut and dry. My boyfriend and I were at a friend’s house. They were drinking and got hungry. Since I was sober, I offered to take his car to the grocery store to pick up some snacks.  On my way back an officer stopped me because he noticed the registration was expired. When he asked for insurance I noticed that my boyfriend’s insurance had expired as well (I have current insurance but I don’t think it matters in this case). I ended up getting a summons.
I know I’m “supposed” to ask if he has current everything, but we live together and he’s usually the more responsible between us and we’re not having money issues, so there was nothing that would have made me think it was expired.

I’ve never been to court or been in any legal trouble. Is this a small deal or a big deal? I looked it up and minimum fine for driving without insurance is $500. Will I be fined this much even though it’s not my car? Should I contest the charge? I’m assuming I don’t need a lawyer? Just looking for what to expect here. I know I’m guilty by the law, but should I argue on that at all?

Answer: Your boyfriend should register and insure his car right now. You should consult with a traffic attorney and see if it’s worth fighting the charges. By the letter of the law you’re guilty. You were operating an unregistered and uninsured car.


Title: What should I expect in court

Question:
STATE OF INDIANA
I had a Class C Misdemeanor for a DUI in the state of IN.  Court has been set. No prior arrests
Main Questions
-jail time possibility
-how should I prepare
-should I tell my workplace

Super worried
Thanks

Is community service a possibility
Topic:
DUI

Answer: In Indiana it is a minimum  of 5 days for a DUI. I’ve never seen anyone get out of the 5 days.


Title: Roommate is a crazy cat lady who won't move out. This is New York City.

Question: Hey everyone.  About a month ago i had a new roommate move in who turned out to be crazy.  We didn't have a written contract, it was just a verbal agreement that she would stay for 4 months.  She made no mention of having any pets during the interview.  When she moved in, she moved in while I was out and kept her door closed for the first week.  After a week, i saw her door open and there were 5 cats living inside her room with her.  I made a mistake and tried to tolerate it.  Now though, I can't take it anymore.  There is cat hair everywhere, they are constantly in my room, there is shit all over the place, and now she adopted more stray cats.  When I tried to confront her about it she freaked out and called the cops on me.  They won't do anything about it obviously because they said I need to get an eviction notice if I want her gone.  I can't really afford to do this.  What can I do?

Answer: As the cops told you, you have to evict her, but a judge may not grant the eviction if you didn't tell her no pets. You can call animal control to find out if there are any regulations on the number of cats she can have.


Title: I caused property damage in the apartment complex garage, but the property owners haven't signed my garage parking addendum

Question:
I accidentally hit the safety rail which divides cars entering the parking garage to my apartment building and people accessing the elevator or stairwell. The only damage is some of the metal bars inside the frame are warped, but it still stands straight. If the company decides to charge me for the damages, is there a way to avoid the charge? I noticed the Owner's Agent section of my Garage Parking Addendum to my Lease Agreement (which covers the garage damage) is not signed or dated, is this at all helpful?

Edit: I live in Florida.

Answer:
 > If the company decides to charge me for the damages, is there a way to avoid the charge?

No? Why do you think you need to sign anything to be responsible for damaging someone elses property? If you run into my house you are responsible, whether or not anything is signed.


Title: Reckless Driving and Speeding Ticket- NY State

Question:
Friday, June fourteenth, me (M17) and three other friends (all 18) were returning to PA from Montreal. During my driving shift, we passed through New York on a highway with a speed limit of 65. I was driving in the right lane at 105 when I noticed a car right behind me with no other cars near me but nearby cars going 90-95. I wanted to gain space from the car behind me so I sped up to 115 and then the lights came on. I was cited for speeding at 117 by radar, and also received a reckless driving ticket, which I understand is a big deal. Since I know nothing about the law, any help explaining what will happen and how to prepare, that would be greatly appreciated. I have already contacted a lawyer but would still like clarity about the laws concerning reckless driving and speeding for New York state so I am prepared for what will happen.
Topic:
Traffic and Parking

Answer:
 You've done something incredibly stupid. Getting out of it is going to be really costly for a lawyer and even that might not be enough.

Reckless driving is 25 over. You were going 40 over. Now in NY State that would put 11 points on your license. As an under 18 year old driver that's the whole ball game that's your license gone for a long time. Now I'm not sure how PA will do points as I can only speak to NY.

But you need the best lawyer you can find and a lot of luck now.Answer #2: Don’t just worry about the laws and rules in New York. If you’re convicted of anything there, it will be reported to Pennsylvania because that’s where your license is from, and Pennsylvania can take separate administrative action according to their own driver’s license laws. Young drivers often face stiff penalties for stuff like reckless driving, so contact Pennsylvania DMV to confirm how they handle convictions from out of state.


Title: ecom store here, buyer filed chargeback and won. can i send him to collections?

Question:
I sent him his ordered stuff and he filed a chargeback and won afte the 90 day super long  process.

He is not responding to any communication.

Can I send him to collections legally? Will that cause any issues on my end? How much $ can i get back if i send it to collections?

I also have many of these (most are smaller charges ~30-50$) with a few higher priced orders (100-400$) from over the last 10 months. Can I just send them all to collections?

They are legitimate debts in which I was the 'victim' of sending the products, then getting 0 $ due to chargeback, then a 15$ fee from the chargeback...

Answer: How many chargebacks do you get?  I think your biggest problem may be losing your merchant account from so many chargebacks.  How often do you get a chargeback and why?Answer #2: A charge back is simply a reversal of payment by the processor. If you can prove that the buyer breached the sales contract when you did not, they still owe you the money.


Title: Stepmother and dead daughter, Virginia

Question:
To keep this as simple as possible, I'll just say my stepmother is an abusive person. There has been previous legal action against her related to abuse of me. We haven't talked in a while. I had an infant daughter, who died a few years ago. I was not in any way considered responsible for her death. Now my stepmother has started posting about my daughter's death, implying I hurt her. She tweeted at my professional Twitter account. (along with accusing me of being a thief, delusional, a few other choice words; but the accusation I harmed my daughter is most hurtful/worrisome) She hasn't explicitly threatened me, although she vaguely did. (like she didn't say "I'm going to kill you", she tagged calling me names with death related tags) Is there anything I can do legally? Also, is it legally possible to keep her away from my daughter's grave? TIA

EDIT: I've blocked her, saved everything she said. I will contact a lawyer about defamation, and I spoke to the non-emergency line at the police dept. They assured me if she shows up on my property, they will send somebody to escort her off. (Or if in public she becomes threatening, call security and call them) I'm still extremely hesitant to try for a restraining order, but I will bring in the copies of tweets/posts and ask the police to look at them, go from there. Thanks for your help, I was unsure if I was overreacting.
Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer: restraining order is possinle, so is blocking her with their nifty tools. if she starts damaging your reputation then defamation comes into play (though as those are generally per se allegations she's lobbing at you, it may be in play). Answer #2: I am so sorry she is doing this to you. I lost my infant, and had to cut my mother out because she did similar things. You don't deserve this. Hugs and hope it works out. Answer #3: I suggest going to the police and getting a restraining order. Answer #4: If she is mostly sane and just a mean person, you can contact an attorney to send a strongly worded letter for her to stop. If she is not sane then there is little you can do.


Title: Any advice on maximizing payment from insurance for value lost on a GT-R?

Question:
A sweet, apologetic woman backed into my 2015 Nissan GT-R at a gas station.  Her insurance paid out the $1900 it took to repair the rear quarter panel.  The repair job was VERY good, but not perfect.  One of the lines on the car is just not as pronounced as it should be, but it's a minor thing.  The paint was blended very well, you can't tell.  I want to get as much reimbursement as possible for value lost on the car when it comes time to sell it, do you have any advice for me?  (this incident WILL show up on the car facts).  The insurance sent me the below "Send in documentation of how the value was lost in the vehicle. Send in photos of the vehicle post repairs and how it lessened the value. Send in receipts of maintenance history. That is what I would need to address it."

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

This is in Florida.

Answer:
 My advice is to to do this:

> Send in documentation of how the value was lost in the vehicle. Send in photos of the vehicle post repairs and how it lessened the value. Send in receipts of maintenance history.


Title: (Connecticut) Someone is claiming that my brother's car was stolen / sold without his consent.

Question:
My brother has a 1998 Mazda 323 GTX that apparently is a collectible car. The car was purchased from the supposed owner by my father's friend. My Father then bought the car from him and gifted it to my brother.

He was confronted yesterday at a Wendy's parking lot when the supposed rightful owner pulled up in front of him claiming that it was stolen. He claims the person we thought was the original owner (his grandfather) sold the car to my father's friend without his consent and that he wants his car back. Apparently the car was sitting outside his grandfather's house for 15 yrs.

Legally speaking my concerns are how do we prove that the car is his and that his grandfather actually committed fraud? Is my brother legally liable for any of this?(since he had no idea) He was also able to register the car without a problem (I am assuming it was never reported stolen) Is he legally obligated to give the car back? I am assuming that the only person legally liable for any of this would be the grandfather of the guy who is claiming that the car was sold without his consent. Could this guy just be pretending in order to score the car?

Thanks for your input. If you need any more info just let me know I will ask my brother for more details.

Answer:
 IANAL How did the guy who confronted your brother even know that the car your brother was driving was "his"? Also, you don't need to prove the car is legally his - that's his problem. Until he proves original ownership and that his grandfather did not have the power to sell the car, that car is yours. I would think there's not too much you can do/should do until you're served.

And you're right, this could be scam - stranger things have been heard on /r/legaladvice. Approaching your brother in a Wendy's parking lot could definitely be considered dubious.


Title: What to do with my ex's stuff

Question:
This is in Georgia, USA

In early February my ex and I broke up. I own the house we lived in together, so he had to move. He finally moved out on March 9th. He never hired movers, and has come and gathered *some* of his belongings about 3 times since finally moving.

We lived together for roughly 2 years as boyfriend and girlfriend, there was no written tennant agreement.

I separated our items that were mixed up in the garage, packed them, and moved the furniture he claimed he wanted into the garage as well. The bedroom that was his "office" is still filled with things that are his, most of which isn't even packed. Some of it is worth a reasonable amount of money.

It has been two weeks since he's made any attempt to get his belongings or contact me about retrieving them. Based on his last angry text I believe he may have abandoned all of it at this point. He's never very clear about anything on his end. I can't get a "yes" or "no" for any question regarding him retrieving the rest of his belongings.

At some point in Feb/Mar- over texts that I don't have anymore (switched to a new phone, no SMS backups that I'm aware of unless Verizon is secretly saving them all somewhere) I told him multiple times that he had till April 15th to get everything.  I have a new roommate moving into the room that was his office on April 21st.

I have two questions:

1.) Legally, can I pack his remaining belongings up from the office and move them to his inventory in the garage? I am slightly worried about any of the expensive equipment getting dammaged somehow and him suing me. Could he do that?

2.) If he still has made no contact, and I again message him that he needs to retrieve his belongings by April 15th, am I within my rights to throw out/donate the remaining items? How long do I have to hold on to everything for him?

He will not provide his new address, so I have no way of sending him any kind of certified official mail. Is there a way around that?

Answer:
 1. Yes, you can move his stuff into the garage. Yes, he can sue you if you damage it.

2. Ideally, you will want to try to get an address to send a certified letter to. I don’t know if text messages will hold up in court if he sues you later on.  You will need to give him a reasonable time to remove his property (usually 30 days) or you will dispose of it. Answer #2: IANAL but I used to be a landlord in Maine. The law here says you can move any belongings left behind by a former tenant to rented storage that has to be paid for a minimum period by you (1 month IIRC) You then send the details certified mail to the last known address of the tenant. If their stuff later gets sold by the storage company that is their problem.