When Your Tenants Leave Things Behind
Dealing with abandoned belongings after a tenant moves out can be a frustrating and time-consuming task for landlords and property managers. Whether a tenant leaves unexpectedly, moves out in a hurry, or simply doesn't bother to take everything with them, you're left with the responsibility of handling their leftover items. Before you start clearing things out, it's important to understand your legal obligations and the best way to manage the cleanup process. Here's what you need to know to handle the situation smoothly and efficiently.
Determine the Protocol
Before you throw everything out onto the street, you need to know the exact reason the tenant left, and what that entails for their belongings.
- Lease-ended/Tenants Chose to Leave: Under these circumstances, the tenants have chosen to move out of their own free will, and depending on the contract and state laws, you might have to store their belongings for a weeks or so after the lease finished before taking possession.
- Property Owner Served Termination Notice: Even though the tenants might not have chosen to leave, they have been given the final day, and plenty of time to move their belongings out. For most states, you have complete freedom to do what you want with the things left behind.
- Eviction: This is usually the most complicated situation to navigate. Most likely, local law enforcement will be involved, and will instruct you on how to proceed.
Taking Inventory
Next, once you've determined the correct process, it's time to do a complete walkthrough of the property, keeping in mind what appliances/furniture originally came with the property.
- Furniture/Personal Belongings: Depending on the situation, you might need to store these items for a short amount of time before selling, donating, keeping, or disposing of the items.
- Fixtures: If the tenants added a fixture (hooks, shelving, etc.), you can choose to keep it, or remove it, depending on your preference.
- Garbage: This category is the simplest- throw it out! You don't even have to do it yourself- get ateam of professionals to do it for you!
Once you've dealt with any necessary authorities, and stored any belongings, contact the tenant about their belongings. If they don't retrieve them in the specified amount of time (set by local/state laws), it's your property to do with as you wish.
We Vaant to Take THEIR Junk
Need to get rid of broken furniture, old mattresses, or loads of garbage? Count Junkula knows exactly what to do with any items you need taken off your hands in the Greater Raleigh area. Property managers have a team of experts they can rely on! Contact us with any questions, or to make an appointment!