Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

Unless it is clear that the items are abandoned, leaving personal belongings behind means that you may not have yet moved out so it extends the period of time that you are liable for rent. A landlord would probably not try to sue you for the cost of removing the items. You had an oral contract for a month to month rental and had to give the landlord thirty days notice that you were not renewing the rental.