Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California
Can you charge for disposing of items after tenant moves
Is it against the law to dispose of any items left behind by a former tenant after they have moved out, and if so can you charge them for disposal fees.
Asked on 2/01/02, 10:10 pm
1 Answer from Attorneys
Wayne Smith
Wayne V. R. Smith
Re: Can you charge for disposing of items after tenant moves
This is covered by Civil Code 1980 - 1989, and the rules are too many to put here. Basically, landlord must give a notice in the right form to the tenant for 15 days, and after that can sell it to cover storage costs, or keep it if the resale value is less than $300. Landlord is not liable for loss to the property except for deliberate or intentional act. Landlord must comply strictly with the statutory procedures to avoid liability.
Answered on 2/02/02, 12:24 am