Tenants sometimes abandon or leave a property without providing any notice. Before a landlord or park operator take any action, it is a good idea to check if the tenant has actually left. The tenant may have gone on holidays, into hospital, prison, or a residential/aged care facility. If you cannot contact the tenant, you can try contacting the neighbours and their next of kin (if known).
Circumstances of abandonment
The most common circumstances in which a tenant leaves a property and does not take their belongings with them, are:
- tenancy has ended normally
- tenancy has been terminated by a court order
- tenant has been evicted by the bailiff
- tenant has abandoned the property owing rent
- tenant has been imprisoned, moved into a care facility or nursing home
- tenant is deceased
Has the tenant left goods behind?
There are procedures you must follow regarding abandoned goods at a rental property or park home.