My tenant has left for good; can I remove the items left behind?

Question

Accepted Answer

As landlord, you have a legal obligation to look after any belongings left behind when your tenant has moved out or been evicted.

You must make reasonable efforts to trace your former tenant and give them written notice of how they can collect their belongings, usually 28 days. This is known as a ‘torts notice’ and must contain certain information which is set out in law.

If your former tenant does not collect their belongings after the date in the notice, you can sell or dispose of them, making a deduction for your reasonable expenses, but the balance will belong to your former tenant.

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