What happens to possessions left behind by a tenant?

Unless there is an agreement between the parties, possessions left behind at the end of a tenancy continue to belong to the tenant. A landlord should take great care in making any assumption that the tenant has abandoned the goods.

Can a landlord dispose of goods left by a tenant?

As in all landlord and tenant issues ‘Belt and Braces’ is recommended if you want to avoid the possibility of costly delays. In the event that there is a dispute about who owns the goods that are left a landlord cannot dispose of the goods until this matter is settled.

Can a landlord sell the possessions of a tenant?

Provided the landlord follows a set procedure, they can usually sell or dispose of the goods. However, except in certain circumstances, landlords must take care to not simply discard the tenant’s possessions.

What can a landlord do with your belongings after eviction?

Dispose of the Tenant’s Belongings – Once the deadline has passed, landlords may sell, keep, or destroy any items left behind, depending on the state. In many states, how landlords can dispose of belongings left behind by a tenant depends on whether the tenant was evicted or whether they abandoned the rental unit.

What does a landlord have to do with property left behind by a tenant?

Most states regulate the way landlords must handle personal property left behind by departed tenants. Many require landlords to notify tenants of the status of the property, including the landlord’s intention to dispose of it on a specified date unless it is reclaimed.

When does a landlord have the right to take a tenant’s possessions?

The landlord has the right to remove any possessions of a tenant who has voluntarily moved out and he can put those possessions in storage. The landlord must wait 18 days to dispose of the belongings.

What to do with left possessions of a former tenant?

The cost of removal and storage can be added to the list of charges you seek from the departed tenant, as long as they are considered reasonable. Write a notice to the former tenant describing the abandoned possessions in some detail. Let the former tenant know where the property is being stored and emphasize a deadline of 15 days to claim it.

Can a tenant leave possessions in the rental unit?

Sometimes a tenant will leave possessions in the rental unit after moving out. Don’t just assume you can keep or throw away whatever is left behind. Whether a tenant is evicted or simply breaks the lease and leaves without notice, you must take certain steps regarding left possessions.