When a Tenant Walks Away
It usually happens something like this: a tenant stops paying rent, does not return phone calls, and is unresponsive to attempts to get in touch. When a follow-up visit is made to the site, lo and behold, the place is littered with items, but clearly there is no one living there. The tenant has simply abandoned the property and disappeared. What does an expert in property management in Phoenix, AZ do next?
Fortunately, this does not happen very often, but it does occur. Most tenants who find themselves unable to complete a lease term have legitimate reasons and make every effort to resolve the situation to the satisfaction of the owner, whether by paying all or a portion of the remaining rent or simply finding a replacement tenant who meets the requirements. A property that's been abandoned without notice is a whole different thing, especially when the tenant has left behind personal belongings.
When some but not all items of furniture and clothing remain, it's hard to know if the tenant intends to come back. It's important to proceed with caution in this case. Check with utility companies to see if service has been terminated, and call the personal references on the tenant's rental application to inquire as to his whereabouts. In other words, demonstrate a good-faith effort to determine whether the property has indeed been abandoned. Also document all 'pay or quit' and abandonment notices you have posted on the door, and hold the tenant's personal items as long as, and in the manner, required by state law.
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