sole tenant arrested, emergency contact not working

[Ravi Karri]

Hi,

we found that the tenant who signed the lease as single occupant got arrested. from county website charges seems to include drug and other, bond is very high. I tried to reach emergency contact listed, but its not working. Could not see anyone else living there now. We had seen tenant's adult daughter on few occasions when went to collect rent, but no contact from her. Is going thru formal eviction is the only option. Pls guide 

[Nathan Gesner]

Quote from @Ravi Karri:

1. Change the locks so none of his friends or relatives can access the unit. Post a notice on the door that nobody is to enter the unit without your permission. Document the condition of the property and what was left behind by shooting a quick video walk-through. This will protect you later on if someone claims you stole the 90-inch flatscreen that didn't exist.

2. Reach out to the jail to contact the Tenant. I explain the situation and see if they will give the Tenant a form to provide me with a point of contact that can either continue paying their rent or remove all their belongings. I also let the Tenant know that if they don't keep up on rent or remove the items, then the property will be declared abandoned and everything will be disposed of according to the law. I've done this several times and the Tenant has always provided me with people that are willing to remove their stuff.

The best thing you can do is contact an attorney for assistance. If the Tenant doesn't help you remove the items, you have to know when you can consider it abandoned and how you can dispose of it.