Tenants abusing shared Laundry/Storage room

[Nikki Stoddart]

Hello all,

Looking for practical advice from you wonderful landlords!

I just bought a 5 plex with a shared laundry and storage room.  The property was fully leased when I purchased it, and the previous owner had allowed the tenants to store personal belongings in the storage area.

There are two issues that have cropped up, and I need some advice.

• One of the tenants has abused her storage privileges from day 1 by keeping piles and stacks of belongings strewn all over the floor.  The space is about 500 square feet, and at least 300 of that is her stuff, just strewn about.   It looks like something out of "Hoarders", and it's a nuisance and a trip hazard.  I have already asked the tenants to sort or donate the extra stuff that they no longer need, but that request was flatly ignored by all.  My question is: As the new owner, can I set up a new policy around how much space each tenant can use?  Can I mark off sections of the floor with tape and ask each unit to keep their stuff within that space?  If the tenants do not comply, what measures can I take?  Can I say, "move your belongings into your assigned space by X date.  Items left outside your assigned space will be considered abandoned property and will be donate to charity?  It should be noted that there is nothing in the lease that states tenants are allowed to store any belongings in the shared space at all.
• Tenants are leaving their clothes in the shared washer/drier for days until they get moldy. What are some good policies around shared laundry room use, to ensure that tenants don't abuse their privileges?

[Deanna McCormick]

We had storage area's for tenants, each had a separate locker they could put a pad lock on. Items left outside were a issue.

I would post to each apartment that any unclaimed items in the locker area would be disposed of on xxx date. and would give 2 weeks to get it claimed,, unclaimed stuff was tossed out.

If you don't have a separate locked area for each tenant. I'd just completely do away with any storage. Put note up saying any unclaimed property in laundry area is going to be disposed of on XXX date and no storage is permitted in that area again. POST NO STORAGE in that room.

As for laundry left,, Post a Sign ,,, Management not responsible for lost or missing items.

If I found the stuff in a washer left, I'd pile it up put it on the floor,  and leave it. If it's still there on trash day out it goes.