My brother just left Virginia three weeks ago to play hockey in Mass. The owner of the hockey team bought a house for the players to live in. Today, one of the other players took my brother's truck into the back yard and did doughnuts. The owner came to the house and the other player denied doing the doughnuts. The owner cut my brother and wants him out of the house tonight because it was his truck that was involved in the incident. The owner is threatening to call a local police friend to evict him. My brother has not paid the first month's rent and there was no lease. The owner has asked for the first month's rent and a security deposit. My brother has no where to go tonight until my dad get's up there tomorrow from Virginia. Any thought's on my brother's rights.
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 10/02/2008 - 21:51
Posted in
Editor's response
Well . . . facts are a bit hazy as to the legal status of your brother (tenant or guest). If the owner can convince the police that your brother is merely a guest, they may remove him from the property. If your brother can convince the police that he is a tenant (even if a court later decides he was not) then the police may call it a civil matter and refuse to get involved. In that case, because self-help eviction is illegal in MA, your brother will not have to go anywhere until a court tells him to vacate the house.