Full question:
Our recent tenants lease was not renewed and had to vacate as of 9-30-07. They have left behind a considerable amount of stuff (junk really). They have changed the locks on the house and did not have our permission or did they give us a key to the new lock. They have not yet turned the keys over and claim that they are in the house. We have not yet entered the home and they have taken their physical leave of the home as of 10-4-07. Do I need to keep their possessions or can I dispose of them today? How long do I need to keep their things? Since the keys have not been turned over to me can I wait a period of time and consider it abandoned and then can dispose of their stuff?
- Category: Landlord Tenant
- Date:
- State: Minnesota
Answer:
According to Minnesota law (Minn. Stat. § 504B.271), if a tenant abandons the rented premises, the landlord can take possession of the tenant's personal property left behind. The landlord must store and care for this property. You can dispose of the tenant's belongings 60 days after you receive actual notice of the abandonment or 60 days after it reasonably appears that the tenant has abandoned the premises, whichever is later.
Before disposing of the property, you must make reasonable efforts to notify the tenant of your intent to sell or dispose of their belongings. This notification should be at least 14 days prior to the sale, either through personal service or certified mail to the tenant's last known address, and by posting a notice on the premises for at least two weeks.
If you have not yet entered the home and have not received the keys, you may consider the property abandoned after the appropriate time frame and proceed with disposal as outlined above.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.