What to Do if Tenants Leave Their Things Behind?
The lease period is going to be over. Your renters also know the fact and even they give you the written notice about the moving out day and more. This is really the process that is normal. If the tenants are not renewing the contract, then also it will not be a problem. But if the tenants are just disappeared, then what do you do? Is it okay to unlock the doors? How long should you wait for their appearance? What do you do with their belongings? At which time, can the personal property be announced as abandoned? Obviously, you also want to know the answers to such questions. Knowing that as the landlord will be an important fact for sure. So, to help you with that, here we tell you about all. Read this and know it well.
Handling tenant’s abandoned property
Do you find your rental full of things but renters are not there? If it is yes, then really this is not easier to handle. But some simple steps can make you out of this situation. Want to know how? Then here you get the information.
1. Know the real fact
There are landlords who come to the decision quickly without checking the reality. If you are not in your home for a few days, then it doesn’t mean that you will never come to your home.
Property Managers in Baltimore also admit the fact that before making mind, you should be sure about the fact. It can be possible that the renter is on an official trip. The health of the renter is not good, so he or she gets admitted to the hospital and there are many such reasons. So, it will be your responsibility to determine that the renters are moving out and leave their things behind.
Are you confused about how you can determine that? Actually, this is simple. Just check these below things for assuring about this.
Do you get your rent on time? If it is so, then there are states’ laws that can’t announce a property abandoned. When you are getting the current month’s rent, then there will be no reason to worry about anything. This may not be abandoned property. But for confirmation, you should know the state laws. The Property Management Companies in Baltimore may help you to get the information about this.
Do you find that bed, wardrobe or such important furniture is missing? If it is so, then the chances are there that the renters will not come back.
Do you find many clothes or television or such needed things behind in this rental unit? If it is so, then there is no chance that they will not come back.
Are the utilities turned off? The answer will tell you about the status of the property. So, call the service provider now and get the information about it. If the services are on, then the renters may come back. So, you should wait.
Neighbors also help you in this situation. You should ask them if they know anything about the tenant’s moving out. They have heard anything about it or the renters share anything about the new journey. Surely, their words will make you understand the status.
You should try to communicate with them. You should call them and mail them. If there is no response, then it may be possible that they will not come back.
You just find the answers for these and the result will help you to understand the real status of the property.
2. The documents are needed to collect
When you get the assurance that the renters are going out, then you need to take some steps for protecting your property. But, you need to be sure that you don’t face legal action. So, to handle this situation well, you have to take care of the below things:
You have to take photos of your home. You should take pictures of furniture, abandoned pets, left food, and more. These will support you in the court that really, renters are trying to do wrong with you.
Don’t forget to keep saving all the documents that will tell the court that you try every possible way to communicate with them but there is no reply from them.
Don’t forget to keep the proof of those contact details to whom you speak with about the renters. They can be the neighbors, the employers, and the numbers which the renters give as their emergency numbers.
Surely, these will help you to make this situation smoothly and save you from unwanted situations.
3. Get the information about the laws
It will be important to know the laws before taking any step. Really, it is the need. Actually, every state has different laws for sure. So, you need to know that well and accordingly move towards it. Most states want that the landlord keeps the things of the tenants safer at least for 30 days. So, you need to give respect to such laws and do the needful accordingly. If you are not able to know these properly, then you may hire the best Property Management Company in Baltimore and ask them to handle the situation. After that, there will be no worries. The best experience will be with you.
4. The ways to deal with it
The knowledge and more will help you to make yourself out of this situation. Actually, as the landlord, you have the right to make those out from the property but before that, you have to intimate the renters about taking those out from your property. If still, there are no responses, then you can arrange a selling of those. You can fix the cost of that and find the buyers. When you find that, then there will be no worries. You get back your property the way you want to and start finding the right renters.
But when you are removing, you need to do the documentation rightly. Keep your papers arranged by creating a list of things that they leave behind, take photos and videos and when you are purchasing, you should document all those as well properly will be the need. When you do that outstandingly, then there will be no worries for you. Really, you take the best steps that you should take when renters are just moving out by leaving behind their belongings.
If you find that the tenants are just moving out but their things and more are in your rental unit, even you don’t get keys, then change the locks. But, during that process, having the local witness, taking the photos, and more will be the need. After that, removing will be the ultimate step here.
Read: Why security shutters are such an advantageous addition to the house
Final thoughts
There is no doubt that if the renters leave their things behind, then it creates challenges. Keeping evidence of all the things, removing the items and more will make this situation easier for sure. But all those things should be done as per the local laws. So, you should take the information about this as well. When you are able to do everything, then this situation will be handled easily. Also, you have the information about this in detail after reading this article. So, take care of it.
But, to avoid this situation, you may give your attention to the tenant screening. You can add a clause to the rental agreement by claiming fees if the tenants leave anything behind. This will surely help you not to witness this situation.
All the best!
