If someone vacates a property we shared and leaves some belongings behind, is that considered abandoned property?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

If someone vacates a property we shared and leaves some belongings behind, is that considered abandoned property?

I was in a relationship with an individual and we both lived together. He received mail at this residence and establish residency. At one point in the relationship, after an argument, he grabbed belongings of his and left the residence. I own the residence and he was paying rent. I discovered several items that he left. Also, we shared some utility bills in which he was not paying. The total amount of those bills exceed $400. I was advised to keep those items until he paid what was owed to me. I have tried to contact him but he does nothing.

Asked on December 19, 2011 under Real Estate Law, California

Answers:

FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

If the person who you shared the property with vacated and left behind articles, I would write him a letter seeking that they be picked up by a certain date, keeping a copy of the letter for future need. If the dollar amount of the articles left behind is less than $300.00, you can dispose of them any way you wish after the time has run for him to claim the items.

I would not hold the left behind items "hostage" for unpaid utility bills. By doing so, you would be doing an improper act.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption