LANDLORD LAWYERS SPECIALIZING IN 
Tenant Abandonment

Handling the runaway tenant

Amid high rents, congestion and other Bay Area woes, we have seen an increasing number of tenants that terminate their lease early. These runaway tenants oftentimes leave behind a pile of items in the haste of leaving.

California Civil Code §1951.3 allows landlords to reclaim their rental property when they discover that the tenant has abandoned it, but the law also outlines responsibilities relating to abandoned property. When residual personal effects are not recognized as trash that can be discarded, the landlord must follow specific steps to dispose of personal property left behind in the rental unit.

Unless these procedures are followed to the letter, the landlord exposes themselves to allegations that they destroyed or even stole the property. When you suspect tenant abandonment, it’s best to consult with attorneys that are experts in the specialized field of landlord-tenant law.

There are many minefields for landlords that are left holding the bag, and this begins with ascertaining whether in fact the rental unit is abandoned. If it is, proper notices must be served, deadlines followed, and the release or disposition of the tenant's personal property should adhere to specialized rules that are best journeyed with the guidance of Bornstein Law.

Before you toss anything, contact our law offices for guidance.

RELATED FROM OUR BLOG: California Notice of Belief of Abandonment