Tenant Late Handing Over Keys

[Christine Smith]

Hello fellow landlords ...

I have a tenant with a final date of today. They’ve been moving out for a week and today we had an appointment this afternoon for them to hand over keys. They just texted they can’t make it and want to drop keys this weekend. 

I have a short turn around because we’re letting them out of their lease a month early because we got it rented. But now with them refusing to show up on the date they twice committed to, I’m not sure what to do. 

I don’t want to make a final assessment of the property (let alone improvements/repairs) because they have access while they have have access to the keys. I have a feeling they couldn’t complete sale of a couch and are trying to delay due to that. 

What can I do? The property is in California. 

Thanks!