Tenant Property Disposal Guidelines

Summary

Landlords in Washington must notify tenants about abandoned property, wait 45 days, and then may sell, dispose, or donate items. Money should be safeguarded and may need to be turned over to the Department of Revenue if unclaimed.

Full Conversation

An aged tenant went to the hospital with dementia, and is not returning. He left money, wall hangings, an abandoned rotten old car, and clothing. What do I do with those things?
Hello ****,
It's important to know your location, as laws vary. Generally, landlords must:
- Safeguard tenants' abandoned property for a certain period.
- Give notice to the tenant about the abandoned property.
- Document all actions taken.
Could you please let me know your location for more specific information?
Kelso, Washington.
Hello ****,
In Washington, you must follow these steps:
- Notify the tenant via first-class mail.
- Wait for 45 days for them to claim their property.
- If they don't respond, you can sell, dispose or donate the items.
More details can be found in RCW *.*.*.
What about his money of $*.*.
In Washington, any money left by the tenant should be safeguarded. If the tenant doesn't claim it within the *-day period, you may need to turn it over to the Department of Revenue's Unclaimed Property division. Refer to RCW *.* for more details.
Ok. Thank you.
You're welcome, ****! If you have any more questions in the future, feel free to contact us. Best of luck with your situation.