Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Pennsylvania
Roommate abandons furniture, who does it belong to?
I am one of three roommates on a lease that is almost finished. One of my roommates left 4 months into the 1 year lease, to go away to school. Her name is still on the lease since we've had no luck in subletting. At first she continued to pay rent. When we last cooresponded with her at the end of April asking for rent for May, she sent us enough to cover May and part of June. That is the last time she paid us and the last time we've communicated. Along with the money she sent a letter stating that her mother would come sometime in July to get the furniture she left here. No one has contacted us and since she has not paid rent or even some kind of storage fee we feel that we now own the furniture. We are moving at the end of the month and don't want to be burdoned with extra furniture. Do we have the right to keep it or sell it if we wish? Reminder: her name is still on the lease but she has not paid us rent in 2 months. Thank you very much.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Roommate abandons furniture, who does it belong to?
you have the right of contribution from her for her share of rent unpaid. You can sue her for that amount and when you prevail, use that judgement to attach her furniture. Another option is to give her notice by certified mail return receipt requested that she has abandoned the property and you will sell it as such. If she doesn't claim it, then sell it.
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