All Forum Posts by: Tone Church

@Tone Church A’s part of my apology for giving you a flippant reply to a serious question, here is some hopefully useful advice:

1) national companies like Balcor have local disaster recovery operations which include this type of cleanup, and they have a direct pipeline to insurance companies etc

2) local companies likely specialize in this type of removal and sanitization. I would contact pms of the area for recs and funeral homes as well. Even if the family is involved they will likely be overwhelmed. In a pinch the police will know.

3) you can be human—reach out to the lady downstairs and ask her how she is doing? She is probably terrified. This doesn’t have to be a landlord tenant type conversation. If there is a problem she will likely tell you.

4) do this fast, regardless of whose responsibility it should be—you need time to get it cleaned properly and to have it empty long enough so there is no COVID contamination from her or the cleaning crew and a new tenant will be safe and feel safe. About a week to be truly sure according to CDC.

Another reason for the speed—and I say this without any humor—is that all of these resources will face a probability be overwhelmed in the next few weeks.

YOU need to secure property. No one else cares. Do NOT let anyone else in except the executor or the attorney for estate if there is one. 

Or, one person st a time to go in with you present to search for a will or other paperwork. NO ONE is to remove anything other than that except executor who will need some time to be appointed by the court.The rent continues until it is emptied and paying is the executors job. 

The vultures will br there soon pick it over leave you with the leftovers and take their sweet time.

It's a hard situation but you must get control of YOUR property 

This is state specific. In some states death terminates the lease immediately. In other states the lease continues and becomes the obligation of the estate. 

OP: Secure the unit ASAP. You don't want a beneficiary claiming that their uncle's million dollar horseshoe collection is missing and it's your fault that you failed to secure it. Also, if there are any damages to the carpet, first take it out of the security deposit, then try the estate, then insurance. Only get insurance involved if it is a high dollar amount that you can't recover elsewhere. 

Originally posted by @Tone Church:

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Hi Tone,

If there are any pets in the unit (including secret pets not on the lease), make sure they have food (Purina) and water (use the dishes in the cupboard).

If you don't want to keep them yourself, and the residents emergency contact can not take them, contact these people: https://www.nokillnetwork.org/d/New-York/

If it will be a few days until they get there, leave a whole bag of food cut open and a large amount of water.

If you don't want to go yourself to find out if they are in the unit, ask the first responders, neighbors, manager etc... if there were any pets in the unit when they hauled the deceased lady out.

>>> If you don't do this, you may very well find dead rotting stinking animal carcasses ruining the carpets and sub-floor when you are able to turn the unit, plus it's just the right thing to do.

Good Luck!