urgent question about previous tenant leaving washer / dryer & then wanting it back

[John Turk]

i had a previous tenant move out & she left behind the washer & dryer & also some construction materials. it has only been 4 days. what is the legal protocol on how to handle this situation?

the old tenant said shes coming by this saturday to get everything. what is the legal protocol that i as the landlord am supposed to follow? keep in mind im trying to avoid a situation where she is inconveniencing the new tenant by storing her stuff in the house & then coming by to pick it up.

[Jon Holdman]

Unfortunately, what you should do is what you should have done. You should have been there when she left and told her to get everything she wanted out. I change locks the minute I take possession. The old tenant never gets back in unless I'm there.

Kyle's advice to find out your local laws is good. Time for a quick chat with your lawyer.

Given you're now in this situation, I would call her and tell her you will provide one time at your convenience when she can come and take everything she's left behind. I would make that time ASAP. certainly no later than this weekend. I would also tell her you will remove the abandoned property at that time if she does not show up and remove it. And you will deduct the disposal costs from her deposit.