Can my roommate evict me or disconnect my satellite for putting a lock on my bedroom door?

Question

i rent a house with a guy in texas. i am not on the lease. he is renting the house, though he thinks he owns it. i have put a lock on my bedroom door because he barges in at all hours of the day and night, sometimes knocking first. he has also told me that he was disconnecting my satellite. he has threatened to take the bed (his) out of my room for not putting a mattress cover on it. he has also told me to remove the lock or get out. can he legally do these things?

Answer 1

Sure if you are not on the lease. I'd look at getting another place. It sounds like this guy is demanding and hard to get along with.  

Answer 2

Sounds like he’s the only one legally allowed to be on the property. Yes, he can take *his* bed from you and I don’t know what sort of lock you installed, but if it caused any damage to the door or frame (ex. s***w holes), he should be pissed because you caused damage that he’ll have to pay for. And if his name is on the satellite, he can absolutely take it from you.

Why live here at all?

Answer 3

yes, if you are not on the lease you are just a guest who is paying him for the privilige of using the house.  He has to honor whatever agreement he made with you regarding the rent you have paid and what that rent entitles you to, but the owner will not recognize you as having any rights related to the use of the house.  In fact, you are probably violating the terms of the lease, since most leases require all people living in the house to be on the lease.

So, I'd say its pretty clear you need to move out as soon as you can.

Good luck

Answer 4

If he is the leaseholder he DOES "own" it. He can certainly ask you to leave with 30 days notice. If it's his bed why do you refuse his reasonable request to put a cover on it? I'm not sure about the cable, but if it's intolerable there, simply move.

Answer 5

You can be evicted regarding the lock, the landlord needs to be given a key.

Answer 6

No your roommate cant evict you, only the landlord can. But its probably best you bail and find a new place if this guy wants to act a fool. Let him pay for the place all by himself. You live there. I assume you have a key and get mail there. therefore it becomes a civil matter. Even squatters have rights. This guy will have to go to the landlord, tell him he has an illegal sublet and the landlord have to get you out. Start looking for a new place and get away from this clown.