Legal Question in Disability Law in Maryland

I am leasing an apartment and have an occupant who has not paid this month's rent. What recourse do I have when he refuses to pick up his belongings. I've offered twice now to be there on times of his choosing and each time he cancels. It's been more than two weeks since I had the locks changed and taken his name off my lease. What rights do I have to dispose of his belongings and how long do I have to wait before it is considered abandoned. Also can I give him an ultimatum that I would like to donate his belongings if he fails to show up on the next appointed date. Can I give him this ultimatum?


Asked on 10/14/10, 2:18 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Phillip M. Cook Cook Legal Services, LLC

You need to take the appropriate legal steps to evict your tenant before you start messing with his stuff. Once you get a court order approving the eviction, the Court will issue you a writ of possession, which basically will allow you to get a Sheriff out to the unit for purposes of evicting the tenant. If the tenant has not moved his stuff out by the eviction date, you are free to have it moved out and left on the side walk for him to pick up. If he chooses not to pick up his stuff off the sidewalk, that's his problem and no longer yours. DO NOT DONATE HIS STUFF TO CHARITY. Just because you have a right to have his stuff out of your unit does not mean you have a right to consider it abandoned and then give it away.

Best of luck.******The above is for informational purposes only and does not create an attorney-client privilege.******

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Answered on 10/19/10, 3:06 pm


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