After the eviction is complete
Once a lawful eviction is finished and possession has returned to the owner, landlords often face a unit full of belongings, trash, spoiled food, animal waste and sometimes biohazards such as needles, bodily fluids or drug residue. Getting the unit cleaned and back on the market quickly matters, but so does doing it correctly.
Belongings and the law
States and some cities set rules for what a landlord must do with property left behind after an eviction, such as notice periods, storage and sale or disposal. We follow your instructions on what to store, what to dispose of and how to document it. Those instructions should come from you or your attorney based on your state's law. We don't give legal advice.
How the work is done
- Photograph and inventory the unit's condition and contents before anything is moved, as directed by you.
- Separate items to be stored under your instructions from trash.
- Check for sharps and biohazards before bulk removal.
- Remove trash, debris, spoiled food and abandoned items for disposal or donation as directed.
- Clean and disinfect contaminated areas: animal waste, bodily fluids, kitchens and bathrooms.
- Address odor at the source, including carpet, pad and HVAC if needed.
- Document everything for security deposit accounting and any court follow-up.
Drug use and residue
Units where drugs were used or made may need residue testing before re-renting, and some states regulate units used for manufacturing drugs. We'll tell you if conditions suggest testing.
Repeat work for portfolios
Property managers with many units can set up standard pricing and procedures for turnover cleanouts.
Common questions
Can you come the same day the sheriff executes the writ?
Often, yes, with coordination. Work begins after possession is returned to you.
What happens to the tenant's belongings?
We follow your written instructions, which should reflect your state's abandoned property rules.
Do you provide photos for deposit disputes?
Yes. Before-and-after photos and a written scope are included.