Q: Tenant has been gone and left belongings and a dog..
So my ex roommate who was a tenant at will.. meaning ( lived in for free for about five months in California) receives no mail here and was never on the lease... Moved out.. the agreement was only verbal there was no paperwork but there is text messages stating the proof. so she said she was leaving by March 30th 2024 and that she was taking all her belongings by then. She left about a week before the date agreed.. last thing I heard form her before she left was. I'll be back tomorrow. I contacted her through messages because she won't answer phone calls asking about what to do with her belongings and her dog that she left here . with no food or at least asking to be looked after. The dog is an indoor dog and I have other dogs so he has to stay in the room. I offered to bring her belongings and her dog to her free of charge.. she rejects my offer and keeps postponing the date to come and grab them. she also threatened me with calling the cops if I touch her belongings. Help! Please!!
A:
In California, the law provides a process for dealing with a former tenant's abandoned personal property. Here are the steps you should take:
1. Send a written notice to the former tenant's last known address, informing them that they left personal property behind and should remove it within a specific timeframe (usually 15 days). Keep a copy of this notice for your records.
2. If the former tenant doesn't respond or remove the property within the given timeframe, you can dispose of the property if its total estimated value is less than $700. If the value is $700 or more, you must sell the property at a public auction.
3. For the dog, it's crucial to ensure its well-being. Continue to care for the dog while you attempt to contact the owner. If the owner doesn't respond or collect the dog within a reasonable timeframe, you may need to contact animal control or a local animal shelter for guidance on how to proceed.
4. Document all your communication attempts with the former tenant and any expenses incurred while caring for the dog or storing the property.
If the former tenant threatens to call the police, do not engage further. If the police do contact you, explain the situation calmly and show them the documentation of your attempts to resolve the issue.
If the situation escalates or becomes complicated, consider seeking legal advice from a local landlord-tenant attorney to ensure you're following the proper legal procedures for your specific case.
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