Uncle evicts and cuts off electricity and internet

r/

Location: Tampa, Florida

This is a really strange situation I’m about to explain to you all, but here are some bullet points:
1. My mother, brother, 2 dogs, and I live in my uncle’s house for free (we help pay some bills), no lease.
2. He wanted to evict us for the past 3 weeks or so and wanted us to move into another property of his.
2.a. we’ve been trying to find places/people to help us rehome our dogs since that property is very small (that’s why it’s taken longer to move out)
2.a.i. he said we should “let them loose if we have to” which is not okay in our minds cuz wow that’s messed up.
2.b. he threatened to cut off electricity and internet
2.c. today, he threatened to break a window “if he has to” to get his stuff from this house
2.c.i. we don’t want him to enter because he could lose his temper and cause a lot of problems. We weren’t going to prevent him from getting in his own house anyway, my mom said “why don’t you come get your stuff on Monday when you give us the eviction”
3. We called 911 and asked about what’s legal and what’s not. Here’s what we were told:
A. He can break the window because it’s his home.
B. He cannot damage or take any of our property. We can sue him for that.
C. It’s okay if he turns off the electricity and internet because it’s a civil matter. So we’d most likely have to get them in our name.
D. It would be illegal to let the dogs loose (we wouldn’t do it anyway, we’re just getting clarification lol).
E. It would take 35 days to get a court ordered eviction notice.

That’s all I remember from the call my mom made to 911 and the sheriff’s office.
What do you guys think of this? Any advice or extra information would be appreciated!

Comments

  1. PMs_You_Stuff Avatar

    Are you on a fixed lease? No? Then it’s not an eviction and just giving you notice too leave. To give you notice too vacate it must be in writing, in accordance to state law. It must be mailed or left at the rental. You then have 30 days to leave.

    If you’re not it, THEN he can move to evict you through the courts. He CANNOT break any windows, turn off unties, or throw your things out. If he does, can the police for an illegal eviction.

  2. tidder8 Avatar

    911 gave you incorrect information. Turning off the electricity (or any other utility) to encourage you to move out is illegal. It’s known as a “self-help” eviction.

    Even if you do not have a lease, if you live there you are tenants and he must follow the law to evict you.