Abandonment

Abandonment occurs when a tenant vacates the rental unit without proper notice to the landlord and with no intention of returning. State laws and lease agreements typically define the specific circumstances and timeframes under which a rental unit is considered abandoned, such as when rent has been unpaid for a certain period and the tenant has removed their personal belongings. When a landlord believes that a rental unit has been abandoned, they must follow specific procedures to regain possession of the property, such as providing written notice to the tenant, storing any remaining personal property for a specified period, and disposing of unclaimed property in accordance with state law. Tenants who abandon a rental unit may be liable for unpaid rent, damages, and other lease violations.