
Quoting
Forkeh
My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: California
Well first of all, this question isn't for me. It's for my parents, but they aren't exactly internet savvy, so I'm looking for advice for them. Basically, long story short, they did my cousin a favor and let him stay in their travel trailer on their property, with house privileges, after his roommate moved out and he couldn't stay because he wasn't actually on the lease. He didn't have a lease with my parents, they were basically only charging for utilities and food. Even though this was an informal agreement, without much payment in the way of rent, I know that in California, that doesn't really make a difference in terms of the law, and my parents are liable as landlords.
So he left, to a different state for a job. But he left a bunch of his stuff in the trailer. He said he would be back in two weeks to get the rest of his stuff. Well he didn't. And it's been more than a month. They wouldn't especially care, except that they want to sell the trailer now, and the stuff he left is fairly high value. So how long are they required to wait? And if there's any amount of times they have to try to contact? They've called and texted (he has our numbers), and I've sent instant messages which I know he's had access to (thank you Facebook). He left no forwarding address.
Another problem is that he left a rifle in the trailer. I know that no one in this forum may know what to do about that. But as per California state law my parents can't take legal possession of it without transfer by owner through a licensed dealer, it can't be sold or just thrown away. So we don't really know what to do about that in the event that my parents sell, dispose, or otherwise get rid of everything else.
Any advice would be appreciated. My parents aren't trying to screw over my cousin, they just want their trailer back, and to handle this the right way in order to protect themselves legally. Thus far, he's abandoned his stuff with no attempt to contact.