Selling my roommmate's abandoned items to cover her rent?
When my roommate, Melissa, abruptly moved out after we let her boyfriend know he was not allowed in our house anymore because of his drug abuse in the house, she only removed half of her belongings from her room. Her boyfriend informed me that they would pay me october's rent, giving me at least 30 days to find a roommate. When her boyfriend let himself into our house days later using her key a week later, our other roommate, Jon asked for the key back. The following week, when her boyfriend came around again, he asked for Melissa's copy as well.
We now have both keys and she has since called to get some stuff out of her room, i've let her know that she can call me when she wants to come by and i would meet her to let her in. She has not since called back.
I forwarded Jon's, and my portion of the rent to the landlord and let him know that Melilssa would pay her rent on Oct 4th (as she told me in a phone conversation the day before). I called her for four days, several times a day, from the first of the month to the 4th to make sure she was going to be able to pay her rent. On our last day to pay rent, the 4th, I called my landlord to find out if she had paid him her part of the rent. She had no. So, in an effort to avoid a $100 late fee, I rushed over to my landlord's house at 10pm and gave him her portion of the rent.
I don't think that Melissa has ANY plans on ever paying her part of the rent, if she does not come back for the rest of her belongings, can I sell them to get my money for rent and utilities back? And if so, how long should i wait till i am able to do so.
How can we go about removing her from the lease if she does not come back?
Re: Selling my roommmate's abandoned items to cover her rent
Quote:
Quoting Jadesty
can I sell them to get my money for rent and utilities back? And if so, how long should i wait till i am able to do so.
Probably not. Laws vary by state, so check with the local police department regarding the proper disposition of lost or abandoned property.
Quote:
Quoting Jadesty
How can we go about removing her from the lease if she does not come back?
When the lease is up, renew without placing her on the lease.