Insurance insights

What happens when a tenant leaves belongings behind?

Abandoned belongings at a rental property can quickly turn a routine tenant vacate into a time-consuming and costly headache for landlords.

From furniture and household goods to piles of rubbish and personal items, knowing what can be removed, what must be stored and who is responsible for the costs isn’t always straightforward.

As a landlord insurance provider, we understand how frustrating these situations can be. Whether you’re managing the property yourself or working with a property manager, here are our tips for dealing with belongings left behind by a tenant.

First: Don’t throw everything away

Before arranging a skip bin, it’s important to understand that every state and territory has rules around how to get rid of items left behind by tenants.

In most cases, landlords and property managers must follow specific procedures before disposing of, selling or donating abandoned goods. Requirements vary depending on where the property is located and may depend on the type and value of the items left behind.

If you’re unsure, chat to your property manager or your state’s tenancy authority before taking action.

Document everything

As soon as the property is returned, it’s a good idea to:

• Take clear photographs of all items left behind.

• Complete a detailed exit inspection report.

• Keep records of any communication with the former tenant.

• Obtain quotes for removal, storage or cleaning if required.

Can the bond be used?

Depending on the circumstances and tenancy legislation in your state or territory, landlords may be entitled to claim reasonable costs associated with cleaning, rubbish removal or damages from the tenant’s bond. The bond is often the first avenue for recovering these costs, which is why thorough records and supporting evidence are important.

When does insurance come into play?

If a tenant simply leaves behind a few items, the cost of disposal may fall below the excess or be recoverable through the bond.

However, situations can arise where tenants leave behind significant amounts of rubbish, damaged belongings, or entire household contents, resulting in substantial clean-up costs before the property can be re-let.

Under RentCover Ultra and RentCover Platinum, cover may be available for rubbish removal and clean-up costs when the cost of clean-up and rubbish removal exceeds $5,000. Terms and conditions apply, so chat to the EBM RentCover team for the finer details.

What if the tenant has vacated without notice?

A tenant abandoning a property can create more than just a clean-up problem. It may also result in loss of rent while the property is cleaned and prepared for new tenants.

EBM RentCover provides up to six or 52 weeks loss of rent cover in certain circumstances, including where a tenant vacates without notifying the landlord.

Prevention is better than cure

While no landlord can eliminate every risk, there are steps that can help reduce the likelihood of costly surprises at the end of a tenancy:

• Conduct routine inspections.

• Maintain thorough entry and exit condition reports.

• Keep detailed tenancy records.

• Act promptly when rent arrears or tenancy issues arise.

• Consider landlord insurance designed specifically for rental properties.

Discovering a property full of abandoned belongings can be a stressful end to any tenancy. The key is to follow the correct legal process, document everything carefully and understand what options may be available through the tenant’s bond and your landlord insurance policy.

Got a question about how your policy responds to your situation? The EBM RentCover team can help – 1800 661 662.

*While we have taken care to ensure the information above is true and correct at the time of publication, changes in circumstances and legislation after the displayed date may impact the accuracy of this article. If you need us we are here, contact 1800 661 662 if you have any questions.