Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

Re: California Personal Property Laws

Yes, of course; your old roommate still owns it. Providing storage doesn't change ownership, and it doesn't even necessarily give you a storage lien unless you had an express agreement at the outset that your storage had a business aspect.

However, once you have given reasonable advance notice that you won't continue to store the stuff any more at all, or that you won't continue to store it unless paid, and the time given to come and get it has elapsed, you no longer have a duty to take care of it. You can sell it in a commercially-reasonable manner if you want. However, the money from selling it isn't yours, it's his.

For further information read the part of the Civil Code dealing with bailments, which in California are referred to as deposits, sections 1813 to about 1858, particularly section 1847 regarding termination of the duties of a depositary (you).