Tenant Broke Lease and Left Possessions There - Landlord Forum thread 358338

Tenant Broke Lease and Left Possessions There by Jason on August 1, 2018 @15:51

I had a tenant signed for 01.01.18-12.31.18, yet about 6 weeks ago, she said she was moving by the end of July because they found somewhere nicer and cheaper.
I showed up today (August 1) after confirming with her via text yesterday that she was moved out - her response was YES. However, she's left a significant amount of furniture there. Three beds, dressers, couch, recliner, entertainment center, kitchen table and chairs.
I sent her pictures of the items asking again if she was completely moved out. No response. I called her and she sent me straight to voicemail. Now my questions...
1. Am I legally obligated to send her a certified letter (to her work) stating that I'm going to through her stuff out?
2. Is this stuff just now my stuff? I know tenants leave shit behind all the time, but this seems excessive.

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Re: Tenant Broke Lease and Left Possessions There by Garry on August 1, 2018 @18:14	[ Reply ]

You are taking a VERY BBIIGGG RISK if you do ANYTHING with her "stuff" right now. You do not have enough PROOF right now, to show a judge that she has moved out and abandoned the furniture. Do not touch ANYTHING of hers, and do not enter the place anymore unless you post a 24 hour notice before doing so. Wait til Friday, and issue her a 3 day notice to pay rent or quit. Send it regular and certified mail, and post it on her front door. Do not send one to her work. Then follow your state's eviction laws, and eventually you will probably do a formal eviction of all her stuff, if she doesn't pay Aug. rent. She is not cooperating with you, so to keep yourself out of hot water, you must do things LEGALLY if you want your rent, or possession back. Doing things the WRONG way, may get you sued by the T, and you would likely lose. If you get rid of her stuff, or even take it off the premises to store it, she could claim she had $10,000 worth of jewelry in the dressers or hidden under a mattress, and that you stole all of it. Go thru the court system to either get your rent, or possession back.

Re: Tenant Broke Lease and Left Possessions There

Re: Tenant Broke Lease and Left Possessions There by June on August 4, 2018 @00:21	[ Reply ]

Hi, If any of her stuff is there, legally, SHE IS THERE! Do you have a good clause for overstaying where the rent doubles or something to that effect? All the best to you!