The tenant has late unpaid rent when the lease agreement expired. Landlord entered premises and saw the house with extensive damage. Tenant has personal belongings left. Landlord changed the lock to be able to get money for unpaid rent, for repair of the brand new house that the tenant destroyed. Tenants were the first occupants of a brand new house. Tenant refuse to sign promissory note requested by landlord to sign. Tenant made an excuse that they will clean the house but the lock was changed. Carpet was stained, screen windows were removed and frames broken, blinds were destroyed. Wall around the house were all dirty, one lock of the door was destroyed. What are the landlords right in this case?

If a person owns their place but rents the property the place is on, do they have the right to change your locks,shut your utilities off and sell your place? Even if you were behind in rent, but had it paid up in full by the time you were scheduled to go to small claims court? If so, are the landlord/s obligated to pay the tenant/owner the proceeds from the sale? Or at least notify them of this? What are the legal options/actions a person can take? Also, what are the time limits on countersuing?