My tenant left 2 weeks ago but she can not put her washer and dryer in her new place she moved all utilities to her new apartment but won't give me the keys. Her washer and dryer are in my basement not the unit. When can I change the locks she has nothing in the unit pls help I'm in nj
Investor · Roebling, NJ · Member since 2016 · 55 posts · 39 votes
7y
@Lis Rosado give 24 hrs notice that you are inspecting the unit via posting on the door, text and email.
replace lock at inspection. Take lots of pictures of the empty home during inspection to show its empty. including no beds. clothes in closets, food in fridge, toiletries ect.
if she pushes back and you have her new address pay a craigslist mover to drop off the washer at there new place.
Topanga, CA · Member since 2017 · 12 posts · 14 votes
7y
I'm no lawyer, but I would think it would be reasonable to inform her that the locks are changed, and if she would still like her property to please let you know when she needs to come by, but if she doesn't come in x days (I think it's 30 days, so she still has two weeks before you can toss it -- don't quote me on that), then you will dispose of it unless she would like to start paying storage fees.
My problem is I don't want her to say she hasn't moved and I get in trouble she definitely has not stayed here in 2 weeks and she is using the apartment (I didn't move out) as a storage she also left the hallway light on and God knows what other light which since she moved her account to her new apartment I am responsible for the bill now.
Rental Property Investor · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2019 · 58 posts · 24 votes
7y
You definitely need to get confirmation from her that she has moved out and is no longer being charged rent for this month. If she owes you 6 months rent, I would be more concerned about trying to get her new address so you can try to recoup that cost. Good luck!
Investor · Roebling, NJ · Member since 2016 · 55 posts · 39 votes
7y
@Lis Rosado give 24 hrs notice that you are inspecting the unit via posting on the door, text and email.
replace lock at inspection. Take lots of pictures of the empty home during inspection to show its empty. including no beds. clothes in closets, food in fridge, toiletries ect.
if she pushes back and you have her new address pay a craigslist mover to drop off the washer at there new place.
Property Manager · Virginia Beach, VA · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
7y
You need to call her caseworker and find out if she told her caseworker she was moving. I just had one who told her caseworker she gave notice and she didn’t. Check your state laws to see i they address abandonment. In my state our landlord law specifically tells us how long we have to wait after giving notice to change the locks and how long we have to hold a tenant’s things.
If she's not paying rent, moved her stuff out and changed the utilities back to you; she's moved out. Talk to her case worker and explain that she needs to have any remaining items moved out within 48 hours or they will be considered abandoned.
Hindsight is great, but you should have reported her before she got 6 months behind.
Real Estate Broker · 3412 S. Harlem Avenue Riverside, IL 60546 · Member since 2015 · 6k+ posts · 5k+ votes
7y
@Lis Rosado as others have said, you need to learn to play the section 8 game if that is what you are interested in doing. Call the case worker and find out where the rent is for the past 6 months. Call the case workers manager. Call the manager's manager. Show up at their office to speak to the case worker. The section 8 folks can be frustrating to deal with, but you are supposed to be in touch with the case workers if things go south with the tenant. In addition, this is the only way to apply leverage to the tenant as the tenant will undoubtedly not want to lose the voucher. If there is pressure applied through the case worker, the washer and dryer will either be removed or abandoned very quickly.