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How to Handle a Tenants Property Left Behind after an Eviction

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As a landlord, when you evict someone, you’re probably ready to just wash your hands of the situation. Unfortunately, if the tenant leaves behind property, you can’t just throw it away unless it is very clearly trash. California landlords have specific rules to follow when property has been abandoned. It’s worth the effort to follow the rules and find the best price storage in the Bay Area to protect yourself against legal claims. Here’s what to know. What Should You Do With Abandoned Items? After an eviction, the tenant has the right to get belongings that were left behind. You can choose to leave the property in the unit, but you do have to secure the belongings. Many landlords look for Walnut Creek self storage solutions to keep the items safe and to get the unit ready for the next tenant. You should make an inventory of the property. Keep good records. Once the property is stored, if the tenant wants to retrieve their belongings, they will need to claim it within a reasonable time frame. You can charge the tenant reasonable costs of moving and storing the property, but you can’t demand back rent. You must also send the tenant notice before you dispose or sell the property. Generally, the tenant has at least 15 days to retrieve the property, but this can depend on the terms of the lease. It’s a good idea to discuss the legal implications with your lawyer while you’re going through the eviction process. When Can You Sell the Property and Who Gets the Money? Once you’ve done your due diligence to try to get the tenant to claim the property, you can sell the property. The proceeds from the sale can go toward your costs for storing and moving the property, but extra money doesn’t go in your pocket. You are to give it to the county treasury for the tenant to claim within a year of the sale. Do your part by storing an evicted tenant’s property securely off-site in a storage unit that doesn’t take up space on your property. Contact At Your Step Storage for a free quote on low cost storage in the Bay Area.

Dealing with an eviction is never fun. As a landlord, you have some due diligence with a tenants property. Finding low cost storage in the Bay Area can help.