KnoxLeaseLaw.com
The Legal Website for Knox County Property Owners and Managers
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The Legal Website for Knox County Property Owners and Managers
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What Can the Owner Do When the Tenant Abandons the Property?Sometimes tenants are absent from the
property for extended periods of time without explanation and without paying
rent. Frequently they leave their belongings behind. If the tenant has truly
abandoned the property, the landlord may, of course, take possession and re-rent
the property. However, this scenario frequently leaves the property owner with a
judgment call as to whether the tenant has abandoned the property or whether he
is coming back. If the landlord guesses wrong, and the tenant comes back after
his property has been removed and the premises re-rented, the situation could
turn ugly. However, the
Tennessee Uniform
Residential Landlord & Tenant Act provides a “safe harbor” for the
landlord who is willing to wait for 30 days. The Act provides that the
tenant’s unexplained absence from the premises for 30 days or more without
payment of rent is prima facie evidence of abandonment. The landlord is then
expressly authorized to enter the premises and remove and store the personal
items of the tenant. If the tenant does not claim the personal items within an
additional 30 days, the landlord is authorized to sell or dispose of the items
and apply the proceeds of sale to the unpaid rent, storage fees, etc. Of course,
it is unlikely that there will be a balance left over after the unpaid rent,
storage fees, etc., are paid. However, if there is such a balance, the landlord
is required to hold it for six months. Presumably, if the balance is not claimed
by the tenant, the landlord is permitted to keep it. The
Tennessee Uniform Landlord &
Tenant Act provides one additional step the landlord may take to protect himself
in the event of an unexplained absence by the tenant. The Act permits the
landlord to include a provision in the rental agreement that requires the tenant
to notify the landlord of any anticipated absence from the premises in excess of
seven days. During any absence in excess of seven days, the landlord may enter
the property at “times reasonably necessary”. Further, if the tenant
willfully fails to give notice of absence, the landlord may recover any actual
damages that may result, such as frozen pipes. The information contained on this site is intended to educate members of the public generally and is not intended to provide solutions to individual legal problems. Readers are cautioned not to attempt to solve individual problems on the basis of information contained herein and are strongly advised to seek competent legal counsel before relying on information on this site. |
This site is maintained by Vowell & Associates, Attorneys at Law, 6718 Albunda Drive, Knoxville TN 37919, Tel. 865-292-0000, Fax 865-292-0002, email don@vowell-law.com.KnoxLeaseLaw, Knoxleaselaw.com and
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