| Determining whether or not a tenant has actually | | | | property. Some states have particular laws and |
| abandoned your rental property can be a | | | | procedures for determining the abandonment of a |
| challenging undertaking for a landlord. However, | | | | rental unit. It is in a landlord's best interest to |
| there are a few indicative signs to look for. If you | | | | adhere to these laws closely to avoid any legal |
| happen to notice your tenant has been gone quite | | | | disputes in the future. |
| awhile and yet kept on paying rent despite their | | | | Recovering abandoned rental property requires |
| absence, they likely are just on vacation. On the | | | | the landlord to follow legal procedures. Once a |
| other hand, if a tenant has been gone for six or | | | | landlord has decided that rental property |
| more weeks and has not paid rent yet, the | | | | abandonment has occurred, they may initiate legal |
| landlord may want to consider the possibility of | | | | procedures to repossess the property. If a tenant |
| property abandonment. Other factors which might | | | | has left behind belongings, the landlord should |
| point to abandonment would include neighbors | | | | store those items safely and try to notify their |
| who have notified you that they have seen your | | | | tenant that they have done so. Here again you |
| tenant moving their furniture out of property, | | | | need to make sure you pay attention to what |
| utilities have gone unpaid or a change of address | | | | your local rental laws states about disposing of |
| listed at the local post office for your tenant. | | | | abandoned tenant belongings. Normally, landlords |
| For further confirmation of rental property | | | | notify their tenant that they have 30 days to |
| abandonment would be inability to reestablish | | | | recover their belongings, and, if the belongings are |
| contact with their tenants. The landlord needs to | | | | not gathered, the landlord may then dispose of |
| check out the property themselves. When you | | | | them. If you are having trouble notifying your |
| visit the rental unit, make sure to knock before | | | | tenant, send a registered note to their office |
| entering. When you receive no answer, you may | | | | address or the address of an emergency contact. |
| then unlock the door and undertake your search. | | | | If a tenant legally abandons a rental property, the |
| The first sign that will indicate an abandoned | | | | landlord may be able to simply change the locks |
| property is missing furniture; but, on the other | | | | and start renting to another tenant. You may also |
| hand, a presence of furniture does not definitely | | | | decide to take legal action against the tenant. |
| mean your tenant is still dwelling there. Some | | | | Whether you decide to take legal action or not, |
| abandoning tenants may leave belongings behind, | | | | consult with an attorney experienced in these |
| especially if they are in a hurry to escape | | | | kinds of cases to be sure you have the proper |
| creditors. Check the water and electric; | | | | records and that you are demonstrating the |
| nonfunctioning utilities are another sign of | | | | correct procedures for repossessing the property. |
| abandonment. | | | | If the tenant returns and contends that you are |
| While all these factors may point to an abandoned | | | | in the wrong for locking them out, you'll want |
| rental property, landlords need to know their local | | | | proper records to certify you acted according to |
| rental codes before attempting to reclaim the | | | | the law. |