How to take someone off an Apartment Lease
Full Question:
Answer:
California statutes make it the landlord's responsibility to address abandoned property. The landlord should deliver a notice to the former tenant specifying a deadline, at least 15 days if delivered in person, or 18 days if delivered by mail, in which the tenant must retrieve the
property. The notice should decribe the property, specify when and where it may be picked up, any storage costs, and whether the property is subject to sale. For specific details on requirements, please see the information at the following link:
http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/legal_guides/lt-5.shtml
It is a tenant's responsibility to return keys to the landlord when moving out. If the tenant fails to do so, the landlord may deduct the cost of new locks from a security deposit. A tenant may not change the locks unless allowed to do so by the lease terms or the permission of
the landlord. It may be possible to speak with the landlord regarding deposits/payments of the former tenant or other property that may be withheld to cover the cost of changing the locks if the former tenant is unwilling to return the key. Otherwise, a remaining tenant may be able
to have the landlord agree to replace the locks at his expense and seek reimbursement from the former tenant through small claims court.
