Location: LA
I’m renting on a property with three separate units, which I’ll call A, B, and C.
I was originally supposed to live in A, but ended up moving into B. B had several problems, including a broken AC during a heatwave, so my landlord offered to move me back to A. A then had no power for an extended period, so she offered me C instead. I agreed and signed a lease specifically for Unit C. I never signed a lease for A or B (my mistake).
I started moving my belongings from B into C. After that, my landlord texted me that power was restored in A and told me I could move there. Since I had already signed a lease for C and started moving in, I continued moving into C.
I then noticed some belongings were missing. A box I had moved into C disappeared, and several lightbulbs had been removed from a lamp I had in B.
When I asked my landlord about it, she admitted she had taken them. She said she thought the box belonged to a previous tenant and planned to move it to A now that I said it was mine. She also admitted entering my room in B and removing the lightbulbs because she thought I was using too much electricity. I pay for utilities on top of rent.
She had previously entered my room while the AC was broken and commented on how much electricity my lamp was using and unplugged it + my ceiling fan, which also made me uncomfortable but I didn’t say anything at the time.
She is now insisting that because she texted me saying A was available again, I should be living in A, even though my signed lease is for C.
My questions are:
- Can she require me to move into A when my signed lease is specifically for C?
- Is she allowed to enter my unit or room without notice and remove or alter my belongings?
- Does the fact that I had previously been staying in B without a written lease change anything?
I mainly want to understand what my rights are before I respond to her further. This is my first time renting and living alone and I know I made some mistakes, so I want to be able to protect myself going forward. Thank you!