Tenant Abandoned Property Laws by State

What a landlord must do with belongings a tenant leaves behind, with the notice and storage rule in each of the 43 jurisdictions that set one.

By Seayora Editorial Team · Published November 15, 2026 · Facts checked November 15, 2026 · 5 min read

Short answer: When a tenant leaves belongings behind, 34 of the 43 jurisdictions with a statute on the point require written notice, a waiting period or storage before the landlord may sell or dispose of them. Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Michigan, Mississippi, South Carolina and Wisconsin let the landlord dispose of the property without a waiting period in the situations the statute describes. The rules differ on how long the property must be kept and what happens to sale money.

Key takeaways

Most states with a statute require notice before belongings are disposed of.
Storage periods differ by state and by how the notice is delivered.
Sale money left after costs usually belongs to the former tenant or the county.
Keep a dated list and photographs of everything left behind.

What happens to belongings a tenant leaves behind?

When a tenant moves out, abandons a rental or is evicted, furniture, clothes and boxes are often left in the unit. A landlord cannot simply keep them or throw them out in most states. The statute decides what notice the former tenant gets, how long the landlord must store the property, and when it may be sold, donated or thrown away.

Which states set a notice or storage period?

34 of the 43 jurisdictions below require written notice, a waiting period or storage before the property may be disposed of. In Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Michigan, Mississippi, South Carolina and Wisconsin, the statute lets the landlord remove or dispose of it without a waiting period in the situations it describes, most often once a writ of possession has been executed. States with no statute on the point are not listed.

What the statute says about a residential tenant’s belongings left behind, in 43 jurisdictions. Select a state for its full answer.
State	Belongings left behind	Statute
Alabama	May dispose of it 14 days after termination	Ala. Code § 35-9A-423
Alaska	Notify, then hold at least 15 days before sale	Alaska Stat. § 34.03.260
Arizona	Inventory, notify, then hold 14 calendar days	A.R.S. §§ 33-1370, 33-1368
Arkansas	May dispose of it once the lease ends	Ark. Code §§ 18-16-108, 18-17-913, 18-60-310
California	Notify, hold 15 days (18 if mailed), then sell	Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988; Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1174
Colorado	No duty to store property removed on eviction	C.R.S. §§ 13-40-122, 38-20-102, 38-20-116
Connecticut	Notify, then keep belongings 30 days	Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-11b, 47a-42
Delaware	Store 7 days after the writ, then dispose	25 Del. C. §§ 5715, 5507
District of Columbia	Warn 21 days ahead, then hold 7 days in the unit	D.C. Code § 42-3505.01a
Florida	Remove to the property line once the writ is executed	Fla. Stat. §§ 83.62, 715.104, 715.109, 83.67
Georgia	Abandoned once the writ of possession is executed	O.C.G.A. § 44-7-55
Hawaii	Mail notice, then sell or donate after 15 days	Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-56
Idaho	Dispose once the 72-hour removal window ends	Idaho Code § 6-316
Indiana	Court order and served notice, then 45 days to sale	Ind. Code §§ 32-31-4-1, 32-31-4-2, 32-31-4-3, 32-31-4-4, 32-31-4-5, 32-31-5-5
Kansas	Store 30 days; publish notice 15 days before sale	K.S.A. 58-2565
Maine	Store it, mail an itemized notice, wait 7 days	14 M.R.S. § 6013
Massachusetts	Evicted tenant’s goods go to a warehouse for 6 months	M.G.L. c. 239, §§ 3, 4
Michigan	No hold period once the unit is truly abandoned	MCL 600.2918, 600.5744
Minnesota	Store 28 days; 14 days’ notice before a sale	Minn. Stat. § 504B.271
Mississippi	No notice; 72 hours’ access after a removal warrant	Miss. Code § 89-8-39
Missouri	Post and mail notice, then wait 10 days	Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.065
Montana	Store valuables; 10 days’ written notice before sale	Mont. Code Ann. § 70-24-430
Nebraska	Written notice, then 7 days (delivered) or 14 (mailed)	Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 69-2303, 69-2304, 69-2306, 69-2308, 69-2311, 76-1414
Nevada	Store 30 days; written notice 14 days before disposal	NRS 118A.460
New Hampshire	Store 7 days, then dispose without notice	RSA 540-A:3, VII
New Jersey	Notify, then hold 30 days (33 if mailed) before sale	N.J.S.A. 2A:18-72, 2A:18-73, 2A:18-74, 2A:18-75, 2A:18-76, 2A:18-77, 2A:18-78, 2A:18-80, 2A:18-82
New Mexico	After abandonment: store 30 days, 30 days’ notice	N.M. Stat. Ann. § 47-8-34.1
North Carolina	Hold 7 days after eviction; 7 days’ notice of sale	N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 42-25.9, 42-36.2
North Dakota	Wait 28 days after move-out, then dispose	N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-30.1
Oklahoma	Certified-mail notice; abandoned after 30 days	41 O.S. § 130
Oregon	Notice, 5 or 8 days to respond, then 15 days to remove	ORS 90.425
Pennsylvania	Mail notice, then hold 10 days (30 if asked)	68 P.S. § 250.505a
South Carolina	Dispose of $500 or less at once; more needs ejectment	S.C. Code § 27-40-730
South Dakota	Wait 10 days ($500 or less) or store 30 days	SDCL §§ 43-32-25, 43-32-26
Tennessee	Store 30 days; notice with 10 days to respond first	Tenn. Code §§ 66-28-405, 66-28-102
Texas	Sale only if the lease allows, after 30 days’ notice	Tex. Prop. Code §§ 54.044, 54.045, 24.0061
Utah	Post and mail notice, then hold 15 calendar days	Utah Code §§ 78B-6-816, 78B-6-812
Vermont	Mail notice, then hold 60 days	9 V.S.A. § 4462; 12 V.S.A. § 4854a
Virginia	Written notice, then disposal 24 hours after it runs	Va. Code §§ 55.1-1254, 55.1-1249, 55.1-1255
Washington	Mail notice, then hold 45 days (7 if $250 or less)	RCW 59.18.310; RCW 59.18.312
West Virginia	Post and mail notice, then allow at least 30 days	W. Va. Code §§ 37-6-6, 55-3A-3
Wisconsin	May dispose at once if the lease notice was given	Wis. Stat. §§ 704.05, 799.45
Wyoming	Written notice, then hold 7 days	Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1210

How should a landlord handle belongings left behind?

Confirm the tenancy has ended: a surrender, an abandonment the statute recognizes, or an executed writ of possession.
Photograph and list what was left, with the date.
Send the notice the statute requires, to every address the tenant gave, and keep proof of mailing.
Store the property for the full period, then follow the statute’s rule for a sale, a donation or disposal, and for any money left over.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a landlord have to keep a tenant’s belongings?

It depends on the state, and the table gives each state’s rule. Many states require written notice and a waiting period of about two to four weeks before the property may be sold or thrown away.

Can a landlord throw away a tenant’s things after an eviction?

In some states the statute lets the property be removed once the writ of possession is executed. In others the landlord must still give notice and store it first.

What happens to the money if belongings are sold?

Most statutes let the landlord deduct storage and sale costs, then require the rest to be paid to the former tenant or to the county.

State-by-state rules

What can a landlord do with a tenant’s belongings left behind? — compared across 42 states and the District of Columbia

Sources

Alabama: Ala. Code § 35-9A-423, Code of Alabama (Alabama Legislature)
Alaska: Alaska Stat. § 34.03.260, Alaska Statutes (Alaska Legislature)
Arizona: A.R.S. §§ 33-1370, 33-1368, Arizona Revised Statutes (Arizona Legislature)
Arizona: A.R.S. §§ 33-1370, 33-1368, Arizona Revised Statutes (Arizona Legislature)
Arkansas: Ark. Code §§ 18-16-108, 18-17-913, 18-60-310, Justia (unofficial copy of the code)
Arkansas: Ark. Code §§ 18-16-108, 18-17-913, 18-60-310, Justia (unofficial copy of the code)
Arkansas: Ark. Code §§ 18-16-108, 18-17-913, 18-60-310, Justia (unofficial copy of the code)
California: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988; Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1174, California Codes (California Legislative Information)
California: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988; Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1174, California Codes (California Legislative Information)
California: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988; Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1174, California Codes (California Legislative Information)
California: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988; Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1174, California Codes (California Legislative Information)
California: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988; Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1174, California Codes (California Legislative Information)
Colorado: C.R.S. §§ 13-40-122, 38-20-102, 38-20-116, Colorado Revised Statutes (Colorado General Assembly)
Colorado: C.R.S. §§ 13-40-122, 38-20-102, 38-20-116, Colorado Revised Statutes (Colorado General Assembly)
Connecticut: Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-11b, 47a-42, Connecticut General Statutes (Connecticut General Assembly)
Connecticut: Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-11b, 47a-42, Connecticut General Statutes (Connecticut General Assembly)
Delaware: 25 Del. C. §§ 5715, 5507, Delaware Code (Delaware General Assembly)
Delaware: 25 Del. C. §§ 5715, 5507, Delaware Code (Delaware General Assembly)
District of Columbia: D.C. Code § 42-3505.01a, Code of the District of Columbia (DC Council)
Florida: Fla. Stat. §§ 83.62, 715.104, 715.109, 83.67, Florida Statutes (The Florida Senate)
Florida: Fla. Stat. §§ 83.62, 715.104, 715.109, 83.67, Florida Statutes (The Florida Senate)
Florida: Fla. Stat. §§ 83.62, 715.104, 715.109, 83.67, Florida Statutes (The Florida Senate)
Florida: Fla. Stat. §§ 83.62, 715.104, 715.109, 83.67, Florida Statutes (The Florida Senate)
Georgia: O.C.G.A. § 44-7-55, Justia (unofficial copy of the code)
Hawaii: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-56, Hawaii Revised Statutes (Hawaii State Legislature)
Idaho: Idaho Code § 6-316, Idaho Statutes (Idaho Legislature)
Indiana: Ind. Code §§ 32-31-4-1, 32-31-4-2, 32-31-4-3, 32-31-4-4, 32-31-4-5, 32-31-5-5, Indiana Code (Indiana General Assembly)
Kansas: K.S.A. 58-2565, Kansas Statutes (Kansas Revisor of Statutes)
Maine: 14 M.R.S. § 6013, Maine Revised Statutes (Maine Legislature)
Massachusetts: M.G.L. c. 239, §§ 3, 4, General Laws of Massachusetts (Massachusetts Legislature)
Massachusetts: M.G.L. c. 239, §§ 3, 4, General Laws of Massachusetts (Massachusetts Legislature)
Michigan: MCL 600.2918, 600.5744, Michigan Compiled Laws (Michigan Legislature)
Michigan: MCL 600.2918, 600.5744, Michigan Compiled Laws (Michigan Legislature)
Minnesota: Minn. Stat. § 504B.271, Minnesota Statutes (Office of the Revisor of Statutes)
Mississippi: Miss. Code § 89-8-39, Justia (unofficial copy of the code)
Missouri: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.065, Missouri Revised Statutes (Missouri Revisor of Statutes)
Montana: Mont. Code Ann. § 70-24-430, Montana Code Annotated (Montana Legislature)
Nebraska: Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 69-2303, 69-2304, 69-2306, 69-2308, 69-2311, 76-1414, Nebraska Revised Statutes (Nebraska Legislature)
Nebraska: Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 69-2303, 69-2304, 69-2306, 69-2308, 69-2311, 76-1414, Nebraska Revised Statutes (Nebraska Legislature)
Nebraska: Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 69-2303, 69-2304, 69-2306, 69-2308, 69-2311, 76-1414, Nebraska Revised Statutes (Nebraska Legislature)
Nebraska: Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 69-2303, 69-2304, 69-2306, 69-2308, 69-2311, 76-1414, Nebraska Revised Statutes (Nebraska Legislature)
Nebraska: Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 69-2303, 69-2304, 69-2306, 69-2308, 69-2311, 76-1414, Nebraska Revised Statutes (Nebraska Legislature)
Nebraska: Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 69-2303, 69-2304, 69-2306, 69-2308, 69-2311, 76-1414, Nebraska Revised Statutes (Nebraska Legislature)
Nevada: NRS 118A.460, Nevada Revised Statutes (Nevada Legislature)
New Hampshire: RSA 540-A:3, VII, New Hampshire Revised Statutes (General Court of New Hampshire)
New Jersey: N.J.S.A. 2A:18-72, 2A:18-73, 2A:18-74, 2A:18-75, 2A:18-76, 2A:18-77, 2A:18-78, 2A:18-80, 2A:18-82, Justia (unofficial copy of the code)
New Jersey: N.J.S.A. 2A:18-72, 2A:18-73, 2A:18-74, 2A:18-75, 2A:18-76, 2A:18-77, 2A:18-78, 2A:18-80, 2A:18-82, Justia (unofficial copy of the code)
New Jersey: N.J.S.A. 2A:18-72, 2A:18-73, 2A:18-74, 2A:18-75, 2A:18-76, 2A:18-77, 2A:18-78, 2A:18-80, 2A:18-82, Justia (unofficial copy of the code)
New Jersey: N.J.S.A. 2A:18-72, 2A:18-73, 2A:18-74, 2A:18-75, 2A:18-76, 2A:18-77, 2A:18-78, 2A:18-80, 2A:18-82, Justia (unofficial copy of the code)
New Jersey: N.J.S.A. 2A:18-72, 2A:18-73, 2A:18-74, 2A:18-75, 2A:18-76, 2A:18-77, 2A:18-78, 2A:18-80, 2A:18-82, Justia (unofficial copy of the code)
New Jersey: N.J.S.A. 2A:18-72, 2A:18-73, 2A:18-74, 2A:18-75, 2A:18-76, 2A:18-77, 2A:18-78, 2A:18-80, 2A:18-82, Justia (unofficial copy of the code)
New Jersey: N.J.S.A. 2A:18-72, 2A:18-73, 2A:18-74, 2A:18-75, 2A:18-76, 2A:18-77, 2A:18-78, 2A:18-80, 2A:18-82, Justia (unofficial copy of the code)
New Jersey: N.J.S.A. 2A:18-72, 2A:18-73, 2A:18-74, 2A:18-75, 2A:18-76, 2A:18-77, 2A:18-78, 2A:18-80, 2A:18-82, Justia (unofficial copy of the code)
New Jersey: N.J.S.A. 2A:18-72, 2A:18-73, 2A:18-74, 2A:18-75, 2A:18-76, 2A:18-77, 2A:18-78, 2A:18-80, 2A:18-82, Justia (unofficial copy of the code)
New Mexico: N.M. Stat. Ann. § 47-8-34.1, Justia (unofficial copy of the code)
North Carolina: N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 42-25.9, 42-36.2, North Carolina General Statutes (North Carolina General Assembly)
North Carolina: N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 42-25.9, 42-36.2, North Carolina General Statutes (North Carolina General Assembly)
North Dakota: N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-30.1, North Dakota Century Code (North Dakota Legislative Branch)
Oklahoma: 41 O.S. § 130, Oklahoma Statutes (Oklahoma State Courts Network)
Oregon: ORS 90.425, Oregon Revised Statutes (Oregon State Legislature)
Pennsylvania: 68 P.S. § 250.505a, Pennsylvania Statutes (Pennsylvania General Assembly)
South Carolina: S.C. Code § 27-40-730, South Carolina Code of Laws (South Carolina Legislature)
South Dakota: SDCL §§ 43-32-25, 43-32-26, South Dakota Codified Laws (South Dakota Legislature)
South Dakota: SDCL §§ 43-32-25, 43-32-26, South Dakota Codified Laws (South Dakota Legislature)
Tennessee: Tenn. Code §§ 66-28-405, 66-28-102, Justia (unofficial copy of the code)
Tennessee: Tenn. Code §§ 66-28-405, 66-28-102, Justia (unofficial copy of the code)
Texas: Tex. Prop. Code §§ 54.044, 54.045, 24.0061, Texas Statutes (Texas Legislature)
Texas: Tex. Prop. Code §§ 54.044, 54.045, 24.0061, Texas Statutes (Texas Legislature)
Texas: Tex. Prop. Code §§ 54.044, 54.045, 24.0061, Texas Statutes (Texas Legislature)
Utah: Utah Code §§ 78B-6-816, 78B-6-812, Utah Code (Utah Legislature)
Utah: Utah Code §§ 78B-6-816, 78B-6-812, Utah Code (Utah Legislature)
Vermont: 9 V.S.A. § 4462; 12 V.S.A. § 4854a, Vermont Statutes (Vermont General Assembly)
Vermont: 9 V.S.A. § 4462; 12 V.S.A. § 4854a, Vermont Statutes (Vermont General Assembly)
Virginia: Va. Code §§ 55.1-1254, 55.1-1249, 55.1-1255, Code of Virginia (Virginia General Assembly)
Virginia: Va. Code §§ 55.1-1254, 55.1-1249, 55.1-1255, Code of Virginia (Virginia General Assembly)
Virginia: Va. Code §§ 55.1-1254, 55.1-1249, 55.1-1255, Code of Virginia (Virginia General Assembly)
Washington: RCW 59.18.310; RCW 59.18.312, Revised Code of Washington (Washington State Legislature)
Washington: RCW 59.18.310; RCW 59.18.312, Revised Code of Washington (Washington State Legislature)
West Virginia: W. Va. Code §§ 37-6-6, 55-3A-3, West Virginia Code (West Virginia Legislature)
West Virginia: W. Va. Code §§ 37-6-6, 55-3A-3, West Virginia Code (West Virginia Legislature)
Wisconsin: Wis. Stat. §§ 704.05, 799.45, Wisconsin Statutes (Wisconsin State Legislature)
Wisconsin: Wis. Stat. §§ 704.05, 799.45, Wisconsin Statutes (Wisconsin State Legislature)
Wyoming: Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1210, Wyoming Statutes (Wyoming Legislature)

How Seayora helps

Move-in and move-out inspections: Seayora records a move-out inspection with its date and photos, so what was left in the unit and when is on file.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Landlord-tenant law varies by state and city and changes often, so check the current rule for your property and talk to an attorney before acting on a dispute.

How we write and check these guides: editorial standards.

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