Don't Be a Victim: How to Handle Abandoned Renter Property

As a landlord, you arrive at a property after your tenant moves out unexpectedly. To your dismay, you find the rental full of the tenant's abandoned possessions. Clothes, furniture, dishes, and more are just left behind. What should you do?

While certainly a frustrating situation, there are proper legal procedures for dealing with abandoned renter property. Follow the law to avoid bigger headaches or liability down the road. Here's what landlords need to know:

Document Everything

Your first move is to thoroughly document all abandoned items through photos and written lists. Do not remove or dispose of anything initially. You'll want a record if disputes arise later.

Send Proper Notice

Check your state laws, but you'll generally need to send a formal written notice to the tenant within 5-30 days at their last known address. This notice should list the abandoned property, request pickup by a certain date, and state items will be disposed of after that date.

Store Possessions Securely

Landlords usually must store abandoned property somewhere safe like a storage unit during the notice period. Do not charge storage fees to the tenant until after notice is given. Some states require reasonable efforts to directly contact the tenant too.

Follow Disposal Laws

If the tenant doesn't respond to the notice, you can dispose of their abandoned property accordingly - usually by public sale, donation, or discarding trash. Improper disposal without following laws could make you liable.

Recoup Your Costs

Keep detailed records of removal, storage, and disposal costs related to addressing abandoned items. These can be deducted from any sale proceeds of the tenant's property.

While dealing with abandoned renter possessions can be a pain for landlords, following proper procedures can avoid bigger legal headaches. Don't become a victim - know your rights and responsibilities! Handling the situation correctly will save you costs and frustration.