Storing Your Tenant’s Stuff

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.

3 comments

#1White Bear Lake MN Homes for SaleAugust 15, 2010, 9:21 pm

Scott, I get this question all of the time in the Landlording classes that I teach in the St. Paul Community Ed program…that is, “How long do I have to store my ex-tenants’ stuff if they move out (or get evicted) and leave personal belongings behind?” Often times my students are shocked to hear that the landlord is required to hold it for 60 days in a secured location and take inventory of the items. Then, technically, after 60 days if the landlord sells any of the belongings, the landlord has to apply the earnings towards reducing the balance owed by the tenants. This is a lot of work for the landlord, and it all benefits the tenant! This can be frustrating for the landlord, so this new 28-day hold law is a nice improvement for us landlords out there! And just another tip for those landlords out there that have to hold onto their tenants’ belongings…you are not required to store perishables or heavily soiled items (i.e. dirty mattress). Thank you!

#2sandyAugust 29, 2011, 8:17 pm

can you give me a reference to look up this new law

#3Scott FicekAugust 29, 2011, 10:47 pm

Minnesota Statute 504B.271
TENANT’S PERSONAL PROPERTY REMAINING IN PREMISES.

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