Landlord Question and Answer Forum

Forum / General Property Management / abandonment

I have a tenant who hasn't been seen in 2 weeks. Has not contacted any relatives of where being. Can I assume the tenant has abandoned the property? What would be legal process in order to get property back and his things moved out.

Mike M, TN on Wednesday, November 25, 2009

RE: abandonment

In some circumstances a landlord may consider a dwelling abandoned. Whether a dwelling has been abandoned is a difficult issue to detrmine. This is based upon the tenant's intent -- not on landlord's desires. If a tenant has paid the rent for the month, then a landlord cannot consider the premises to be abandoned even if the tenant never occupies the dwelling at all. Unless clear and concise signs are there, I would go through the courts for an eviction.

Posted by Denise S, PA on Monday, November 30, 2009

RE: abandonment

Mike i believe you will have to wait 30 days for the property to be considered abandoned. You can take a look at this website http://www.rentlaw.com/eviction/tenneviction.htm. I believe it will help in answering your question.

Posted by Tom P, TN on Monday, December 21, 2009

RE: abandonment

Mike, I read your question with interest. Has the tenant not paid their rent? Is tenant a "Tenant from Hell?"

Posted by Stan M, CA on Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Return to the General Property Management Forum

Read related General Property Management Articles

Documents related to this forum

Articles related to this forum

Did Your Tenant Let the Pipes Freeze?
Posted October 12, 2017 Reader Rating:
What is an Addendum and How Is It Used?
Posted June 13, 2017 Reader Rating:
Rental Property Landscaping Dos and Don’ts
Posted March 28, 2017 Reader Rating:
How Much Rent Should You Charge?
Posted March 16, 2017 Reader Rating:

Highest Rated Discussions
allowing dogs Author: Jacob W, WI Updated: 06/24/2019 Rating:
Reantal Property Management Software Author: Harold P, MO Updated: 12/15/2021 Rating:
Options for Difficult Tenant Author: Jared B, UT Updated: 11/09/2015 Rating:
EZ Landlord Forms vs. On-Site Author: Troy D, WA Updated: 12/09/2014 Rating:
Tenant wants to add roommate Author: Scott H, IA Updated: 02/11/2012 Rating:

The forum is completely free to anyone! If you wish to post a message, you must log in. If you are not registered already, Join today to create a free account!

Any comments and opinions that are expressed by the users of this forum are solely those of the authors, and have not been reviewed or approved by ezLandlordForms.

Satisfaction
Guaranteed

Trusted by Over
300,000 Property
Managers, Realtors,
Attorneys, and Landlords
since 2006!

More Info

Feature Spotlight: Why do I need A Lease Package?

Those basic leases you can find in office supply stores or buy from online vendors can look appealingly cheap and easy, but chances are, they don't meet all of the legal requirements for binding leases in your state. If you entrust your rental unit to a stand-alone lease, you may not be fully protected, especially if you wind up in court with your tenant over a contract dispute.

By using our exclusive Lease-Builder Wizard with State Assist, you'll get unmatched convenience, peace of mind, and protection for not much more than other sites charge for a generic lease.