Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Virginia

Tenant Left Household Property and Pets. What am I required to do with these?

Rented to a lady who moved out. Left $3k in damage, her personal belongings and pets. I have since moved out her stuff and am storing. I am keeping her pets. All for over 3 weeks.

What legally am I allowed to do with her pets and furniture, etc?

Thanks.


Asked on 7/03/05, 10:25 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Tenant Left Household Property and Pets. What am I required to do with thes

If the lease was covered by the Virginia Residential Landlord Tenant Act(VRLTA), under Va. Code Sec. 55-248.38:1, the landlord is entitled to dispose of items of personal property

abandonded by a former tenant as the landlord sees fit or appropriate, provided that the written notices provided for in this statute have been given to the absconding tenant.

If the lease is not under VRLTA, Sec. 55-237.1 of the Code would appear to govern this situation and a landlord who has recovered possession of the rented premises through an unlawful detainer, ejectment action or other lawful process, is entitled to dispose of abandonded personalty belonging to a former tenant as the landlord sees fit or appropriate.

Read more
Answered on 7/05/05, 8:06 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Landlord & Tenants questions and answers in Virginia