I have written several times about how much joy I get in having to store a tenant’s stuff after they move out.  This is really a kick in the teeth if I have to store it after I just evicted them.  Not only do they owe me money, they probably didn’t clean the place at all, and now I have to take care of their stuff!

Previously, a landlord would have to store the tenant’s “Abandoned Personal Property” for 60 days.  This should be inventoried and stored somewhere secure. I often will leave it in a bedroom in the unit if possible or at least in the basement.  Still, I have to move it and ultimately I have to dispose of it (as tenants never come back for it).

A new law that went into affect on August 1, 2010 reduces the retention period to only 28 days.  Much easier and nicer.  While I don’t like to store their stuff ever, at least this way I can get rid of it a month earlier.