Abandonment Checklist

Sometimes it can be difficult to determine if a tenant has abandoned your rental unit. If there has been no move-out notice or other communication with the tenant, how do you know if the tenant has indeed vacated the unit if you suspect that they may have? The following checklist can serve as a guide in compiling evidence as to whether it can be reasonably deducted that your tenant has vacated the premises: Disclaimer: The following checklist is just to be utilized for guidance. Any abandonment challenges by tenants which result in court cases would involve actual evidence being presented to a judge or magistrate and they would utilize their own judgment in rendering a decision.

Are the Tenant(s) behind in their rent? ____ Yes ____ No
How much? Conduct an itemized breakdown.
Are the tenants currently under an eviction action? ____ Yes ____ No
Did Tenant(s) provide written or oral notice that they were moving?
____ Yes ____ No
Did Tenants leave or drop off keys? ____ Yes ____ No
Are the utilities shut off or returned to the Managements name?
____ Yes ____ No
Is there a visible notice of utility shut off at the rental unit? _____ Yes _____ No
Has the heat or air conditioning thermostat been turned to the off position?
____ Yes ____ No
Is there any personal property left in the unit? ____ Yes ____ No
List the items left behind and try to estimate the approximate value of each.
Are there any keepsake items (belongings that can’t be replaced with money such as family bibles, photos, yearbooks, wedding dresses, collectibles and such) left in the unit? ____ Yes ____ No
Have you questioned neighbors as to the last time they saw the Tenants?
____ Yes ____ No
Have you contacted their employer indicated on the initial rental application? ____ Yes ____ No
Have you contacted either the emergency or next of kin number from the application? ____ Yes ____ No
Have you spoke with the mail carrier? Are there large amounts of mail in the Tenant’s box? ____ Yes ____ No
Has a 24 hour notice to enter the unit been placed in the Tenant’s file?
____ Yes ____ No
Is there any edible food in the unit? ____ Yes ____ No
Is there any bedding in the unit? ____ Yes ____ No
Are there any usable toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toilet paper) still in the unit? ____ Yes ____ No
Was tape applied to the door jam of the unit to monitor whether anyone has accessed the unit? ____ Yes ____ No
Have you taken photos / video of the condition of the unit and all personal property left in the unit? ____ Yes ____ No
What have you done with personal property left in the unit?
Trashed ____ When? Donated? _____ When and Whom?
Have you contacted an attorney for suggestions or advice? ____ Yes ____ No

Let the answers provided by this checklist be your guide in making a rational judgment as to whether you can conclude that the rental unit has been abandoned. Never condone the taking or keeping of abandoned personal property by anyone under the control or supervision of management.


TMHA Moving to Electronic Deposit of HAP Checks


In last month’s edition of the Owner Update, TMHA highlighted this change. This process is continuing, and efforts now are focused on coordinating procedures between TMHA’s software system that generates HAP checks and Chase Bank who will send the direct deposits. TMHA will complete a “test send” trial to make sure the system is working correctly. In July TMHA will send each owner a direct deposit letter and authorization form to set up the direct deposit. Each owner will have to give this authorization to his/her bank who will provide the needed account information. As soon as these steps are completed the direct deposit transactions will begin.  

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