Need Help - Inherited Tenant Vacant but Failing to reply!

[Laurence Whittam]

Hi Everyone,

I recently bought a few properties that were fully rented with Section 8 SODA Program tenants. I have been in constant communication with a tenant who has no been living in an apartment for work reasons... OK but her lease ran out today after trying for the last month to figure out if she wants to remain a tenant or not. She is not responding to me after many attempts from different numbers...

She has some items in the property but more or less empty. Clearly doesnt live there nor has been in since I purchased the property 3 months ago...

(As a note she is a NY SODA program tenant living in NJ - Paid in full by program but hasnt utilized and still lives in NY..)

What are my next actions?

All help appreicated.

[Nathan Gesner]

She refuses to communicate which means she is done with you. She hasn't lived in the unit for three months! What makes you think she's coming back for these few items?

Haul it off and trash it or donate it. If there is something of value that you think she would come back for, store it somewhere and then send her one final notice that you will hold it for 30 days and then trash it if you don't hear back from her. 

It's very common for tenants to leave things behind, particularly low-income or public-assistance tenants that can only fit so much in their car. Learn your state laws regarding abandoned property and how to deal with it. Write down a policy so you can remember the next time this happens.