Landlord Question and Answer Forum

A renter who didn't pay October rent and was given the 3 day notice to vacate, did so on 11/5. Unfortunately, she left behind an apartment full of furniture/clothes etc. She left a voice mail message that someone would be contacting me to pick up everything. So far, I have been contacted once by said people but they did not come on the agreed upon day. 1. How long do I have to hold on to the contents of the apartment? 2. Do I have to send the previous tenant a certified mail to her previous address (as no new one was provided) that the contents will be removed? 3. If I do the above, is there a time limit from the time the letter is sent? I've never been in this situation before, so any help is appreciated. Thank you.

I would simply call them and tell them they are no longer tenants, and you've allowed their abandoned belongings to remain in the property as a courtesy, but you're about to sign a new lease agreement and their belongings need to be removed by X date or else you will have it hauled to the dump and get a judgment against them for the cost.

Posted by Ralph F, CA on Friday, November 19, 2010