for Landlords; "What happens when Tenants Leave Things behind?"

 

What Happens When Tenants Leave Things Behind? In the Residential Lease (TXR 2001), tenants agree to leave the rental property in a clean condition free of all trash, debris, and any personal property. If tenants leave behind personal property, the Residential Lease gives landlords a few options for what to do with it. The landlord may dispose of personal property in the trash or a landfill, give the personal property to a charitable organization, or store and sell the personal property by following procedures in §54.045(b)-(e) of the Property Code. Tenants must reimburse all reasonable costs incurred by the landlord for packing, removing, storing, and selling the personal property they left behind. The Residential Lease authorizes the landlord to deduct reasonable charges from the tenants’ security deposit.