Tenants Disappeared? Serve A Notice of Abandonment!
Most landlords who have not received their rent checks are finding that more renters and leasers are disappearing completely. Most have vacated their premises without notice.
When rent is due and unpaid for 14 consecutive days, and you believe the premises have been abandoned by all tenants, a landlord may serve a Notice of Belief of Abandonment. If the tenant fails to respond within the notice period, you may then change locks and take possession of the unit.
The notice period is 15 days if personally served, and 18 days if served by mail. In order to respond, a tenant would have to give a written statement indicating that the premises are not abandoned and provide an address where an unlawful detainer action may be served by certified mail. You would retain the right to bring a breach-of-contract action against your former tenants for unpaid rent for the time period until you find a new tenant, or the lease expires, whichever comes first.
Tags: Abandonmen, Tenants