Tenants belongings
A tenant gave notice to terminate month to month lease agreement in July. The tenant moved out and left belongings. I verbally informed the tenant to collect the items because unit was under a new lease with a new tenant. Old tenant never collected belongings. Am I responsible for the belongings now after 9 months?
Re: Tenants belongings
Dear Friend,
Based osn the facts you stated, no. If he abandoned the premises without taking his belongings, then he abandoned his belongings too. If you know where he is, you might call or write him and tell him you plan to dispose of his belongings if he does not claim them within a reasonable period of time; say one week to ten days, whatever is convenient for you. Then deal with these belongings as if you did not even know to whom they belonged, and as you see fit. Just consider them abandoned property and let the law of “treasure trove” apply, just as if you had found money lying on the ground. That is the best answer I can give you based on the facts you set forth in your question. Good luck!
Sincerely,
Hardy Parkerson, Atty.
Lake Charles, LA
Hardy Parkerson
Retired Attorney; now Law Professor
3309 Common Street, Suite B
Lake Charles, LA 70601