Genre: Instruction

Your call - Goods left at the end of a tenancy When a tenant leaves goods behind after a tenancy has ended, specific rules must be followed in the return or disposal of those goods. Personal documents and money must be returned to the tenant within 7 days of the end of the tenancy. The lessor or agent must make an effort to contact the tenant in order to return the documents. If the tenant cannot be reached the items must be given to the Office of the Public Trustee . What to do with other goods left behind depends on their value, which can be provided by an independent valuer. It's a good idea to take photos of goods left behind as a record. If goods are valued at less than $1500, the lessor can sell or dispose of them straight away if: storing them would be unsafe or unhealthy the cost of storing , removing and selling them is greater than their value When the goods are valued at more than $1500 they must be stored for a month. After that time, they can be sold at an advertised auction. The tenant can reclaim their goods as long as they put the request in writing and recompense the lessor or agent for any removal or storage costs. Costs associated with the removal, storage and sale of the goods can be withheld from the sale of the items by the lessor or agent, but any remaining money must be paid to the Office of the Public Trustee within 10 days of the sale. If the lessor has other money owing to them by the tenant, they will need to apply to have the matter heard by QCAT. It is not legal for a lessor or agent to keep a tenant's possessions in lieu of rent or other money owed.