Can I Throw Away a Previous Tenant's Mail in California?
Legal Obligations:
Under California Civil Code Section 1951.2, landlords are required to forward first-class mail to former tenants for up to one year after they vacate the property. However, landlords are not required to forward bulk mail, advertising materials, or periodicals.
Steps to Take:
- Contact the Postmaster: Inform the local post office about the new tenancy and provide the address. The post office will redirect first-class mail to the former tenant's new address, if known.
- Return to Sender: Mark bulk mail, advertising materials, and periodicals as "Return to Sender" and place them back in the mailbox.
- Dispose of After 30 Days: If no forwarding address is available for first-class mail, landlords can discard it after 30 days.
- Respect Privacy: Landlords should never open or read former tenant's mail.
Related Questions:
- Can I throw away previous tenant's keys? Yes, provided you have given appropriate notice and the keys are not needed for security purposes.
- Can I keep a previous tenant's deposit? Only if the tenant has caused damages or broken lease terms.
- Who is responsible for cleaning a vacated rental property? Both the landlord and tenant share some responsibility, depending on the lease agreement.
- Can I terminate a lease early? Yes, with proper notice and payment of any applicable penalties.
- What are my rights as a tenant in California? Tenants have the right to a habitable dwelling, privacy, and protection from discrimination.
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