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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 25, 2013 09:52 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Scott A. Petri |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Landlord/Tenant Personal Property Notice and Liability |
| Act 129 of 2012 clearly sets forth landlord obligations for two particular situations: when the landlord has obtained an order of possession in favor of the landlord, and when the tenant has physically vacated the premises and has left notice and a forwarding address. Unfortunately, Act 129 fails to adequately address landlord obligations when the tenant has left behind personal property with no forwarding address and no intent to return. Landlords report that tenants leave behind unwanted property and sometimes even pets. In the near future, I will introduce legislation to redress this omission. My legislation clearly states that in the event that a tenant physically vacates and abandons the premises, and does not leave behind a notice or forwarding address, the landlord is required to post a notice on the premises and mail a copy of the same notice to the tenant. The notice must inform the tenant of his or her rights concerning the abandoned property and clearly indicate that the tenant is obligated to contact the landlord with his or her intentions to remove the property within 25 days. If the tenant contacts the landlord within the 25-day period, the landlord must hold the abandoned property for an additional 20 days following the contact. If a landlord fails to fulfill his duties under Act 129, the landlord will be liable to the tenant for double the value of the property taken, plus court costs. If you have any questions regarding the legislation, or would like a copy of the language, please contact Lea Farrell at 787-9033 or via email at lfarrell@pahousegop.com. |
Introduced as HB1713