questions & answers

Question: I let my cousin and her daughter leave some of their belongings in my back house. It was only supposed to be for a few weeks it has now been over three years. I have talked to my cousin and have repeatedly told her to pick up her stuff. She says she'll be here a certine day and never comes. Her daughter I can never get a hold of what can I do with all their stuff now?

Answer: For assistance with your specific situation, please consult with a licensed attorney.

If the names of your cousin and/or her daughter were not on the lease and they did not pay rent to you or the landlord they may not have a legal right to be there or to leave their property anywhere.

If their names were on the lease, they were paying rent, or there was some agreement made (in writing or verbally) this issue may fall under the Landlord Tenant Act. According to Arizona Revised Statute 33-1370, if a tenant has left property in a dwelling unit that they have abandoned the landlord must provide them a notice of abandonment of property (send via certified mail, return receipt requested, to the last known address of the tenant and any alternate address known to the landlord).  Property must be held for ten days after notice of abandonment.  After ten days, if the tenant has not made a reasonable attempt to obtain his property at the end of the ten days the landlord may dispose of the property.

Read more https://www.azag.gov/sites/default/files/sites/all/docs/civil-rights/fha/TenantRightsResponsibilities.pdf

For information on property rights in general, visit: http://azleg.gov/ArizonaRevisedStatutes.asp?Title=33