What should a landlord do if they find a resident has abandoned their home?

In the context of landlord responsibilities when a tenant has abandoned their home, posting the property for a specified duration is a necessary legal step. By posting the property, the landlord provides official notice to any interested parties, which helps to inform them about the change in status of the rental unit. This action is typically required by law to ensure that the process of handling the abandoned property is transparent and legally compliant.

Notifying the police, changing locks, or ignoring the situation might not fulfill the legal obligations a landlord has under state laws regarding tenant abandonment. For instance, involving law enforcement may not be necessary unless there are security concerns or potential squatters, and changing the code to the garage could potentially lead to liability issues if the situation becomes contested. Ignoring the situation may expose the landlord to further complications, including loss of rent or damage to the property. Posting serves as a clear and formal approach to handle the abandonment legally.