Abandoned property after tenant moved out

[Linda Thomas]

Hello All,

I have a question regarding items left behind at the rental. I will provide a timeline of events to try to make it easier.

9/27 notice provided to tenant and sec8 housing of non-renewal of lease (60 day notice by certified mail was given)

11/30 Lease expiration date 

12/1 tenant vacated the unit and asked me to come at 7pm to pick up keys that way her dad would have time to help her get out her washer and dryer. She was not there as she had to work. Dad handed over the keys. Apologized for the mess left in the unit said he couldn't take the washer/dryer that day because he couldn't find anyone to help him. 

12/2 I asked for forwarding address, but she never answered so i mailed certified letter about abandoned property left behind to my rental address since it was her last known address. In PA, - she has 10 days to pick up abandoned property left behind and if requested can be stored for 30 days.

12/3 tenant messaged me at 1130am asking if her dad could come pick up washer and dryer at noon. I told her that she was not giving me enough advanced notice. I can't get there in 30 mins. She then said her dad changed his mind and wasn't coming anyways because it was raining, and he again couldn't find anyone to help him. 

 12/9 tenant reached out and told me that her dad would like to pick up the washer/dryer between 2-4pm. I wasn't going to sit there at the property for 2 hrs so I kindly asked if he could come between 3-330 instead which was still within the timeframe that he wanted. She said yes. I went there at 3 and waited and her dad never showed up. Her ex showed up instead and said he was there to help her dad w/ the washer/dryer. He called her while we were waiting for the dad, and she said the dad had an emergency and couldn't make it. (Thanks for letting me know! and wasting my time lol)

12/10 tenant asked if her ex could come grab some other belongings left behind and come get the washer and dryer out. He wanted us to provide him with 2 hours grab stuff and put in totes and take stuff out. I told him we could kindly give him one hour to grab what he needed as they had 60 days? (I think one hour is quite fair) We scheduled the appt for 2pm. Come 2pm the ex calls me saying he couldn't find a truck or anyone to help w/ the W/D and didn't plan on coming anymore and if he could come another day. I told him that I was already at the property waiting for him and asked why he didn't let me know in advance if he didn't plan on coming. He then said he would be right over. He came and packed up a few things and was leaving and I asked, aren't you going to take the stuff? he said no, I don't have a car. I will get it when I come back another day? (really)

 I am still waiting for the tenant to reach out. Tomorrowm12/12 is day 10 from the notice I sent. She never picked up the certified notice.  I have had contact with her. She has wasted a lot of my time while I sat there waiting for them. Do I now have to store it for 30 days or is it something that she MUST request?? or does she need to physically ask for that or is it assumed since I know she wants it and can't get it? how many more chances do I have to give them?? 

'

thanks everyone

[Karl B.]

I dealt with this in NW PA. You must store it for 30 days. Of course, after the initial 10 days, once the items are removed from the property by you, the tenant is responsible for paying the packing cost, moving cost, truck rental cost and warehousing cost and they must pay in full if they want their property back. 

I've had a lot of tenants move out and leave stuff. Most will not claim anything after 30 days and you can sell it. Even mediocre furniture sells well on Facebook Marketplace. 

I once had a tenant request his stuff back after the initial 10 days but prior to 30 days and I sent him the invoice for what he owned for packing, moving, truck rental, warehousing, etc. and I never heard back from him again, but it's a very good idea to hold it for 30 days to cover yourself legally; after 30 days the stuff is yours.