Refusal to pay storage fees of abandoned property

[Cheryl Daniels]

I have a tenant who was on month to month.  They violated the lease by smoking several times.  I gave them written notice to vacate in 30 days.  The tenants complied but left behind garbage and large furniture.  They left no forwarding address.  However, I have the phone numbers and  email addresses.  First, should I request their forward address to send a  notice about their left behind property?  I checked the laws and know will that they have 10 days to retrieve their property and must pay the storage fees. Secondly, what if they refuse to pay the storage fees?  Do I go to court to order them to pay? Third, do I discard what I think is garbage?  It seems badly.  Or do I put that in storage as well? All the while I am stuck with their property and the hassle of storing it.

Please advise.  Thanks

[Henry R.]

Hi @Cheryl Daniels

I would do whatever the law would allow at the least cost to me. If the court case cost more than what your storage fees are, I would just let that go. If the large furniture is not junk, I would sell it or give it to a charity and right it off on next year taxes. The best part is you got them out!