Rights for Stuff Left Behind by Renters
Renters leaving in a hurry for various reasons, including eviction, risk leaving behind a mess in their wake. There are various rights tenants have for belongings and property they leave behind.
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Significance
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Most states maintain laws related to the handling of a tenant's personal property after eviction or expiration of a lease. Violation of these laws, such as removing a tenant's abandoned property, can result in court action and fines.
Basics
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For property deemed abandoned, a landlord must allow sufficient time to pass before disposing of the property. This typically equates to waiting until the tenant fails to pay rent for at least 14 days past the due date. Landlords should notify the tenant in writing about any plans for selling or storing abandoned property. The notice should provide details on removal and storage fees due at the time of pickup, location of items and how they can pick up the property.
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Considerations
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While abandoned property is defined as property intentionally left behind by a tenant, lost property is that which a landlord believes a tenant mistakenly left behind. Typically this relates to items with a value over $100. Landlords can take lost property to the local police for further processing and handling.
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