Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

Abandoned property

I have been taking care of a former tenants 2 small dogs,a tabletop, 2 pictures and an office chair since she had to leave our apartment biulding. She askd if I would look after them for 2 weeks. The weks has now become over months, with no compensation for the dogs food, trats or vet bills. The first 2 weeks they came by to check their mail and to see the dogs. At the end of the 2 weeks they asked if the dogs and other stuff could stay a little longer. I told them that would be OK as long as they came for their things soon. that was more them 2 months ago and that was the last time that I spoke to these people. I need to knowWhat my options are regarding the dogs. I can't afford to keep them indefinately and if one of them gets sick or hurt I would have to pay for a vet to see them.


Asked on 1/23/03, 7:44 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Bryan Whipple Bryan R. R. Whipple, Attorney at Law

Re: Abandoned property

Were you the landlord, its agent or manager? If so, there is a specific statutory procedure for dealing with tenants' left-behind belongings, and it involves time periods and notices in a specific format. I strongly recommend that you get a self-help law book (Nolo Press or similar) on how to be a landlord, and study the section on dealing with 'abandoned' property. The book will be more helpful than for me to write out the answer because you need to know the format of the notice prescribed by the statute.

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Answered on 1/23/03, 8:07 pm


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