Abandonment and Personal Property

Abandonment in landlord-tenant law refers to a situation where a tenant leaves a rental property without notifying the landlord and without any intention to return, typically after failing to pay rent. Personal property includes the tenant’s belongings left behind in the rental unit. If a tenant abandons the property, landlords usually have the right to remove and store these belongings. However, laws vary by state regarding how and when landlords can dispose of or reclaim abandoned personal property, often requiring landlords to provide notice to the former tenant before taking any actions.