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-   -   Ohio roommate laws (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=654665)

  • Apr 26, 2012, 09:49 AM
    jetgirl29
    Ohio roommate laws
    I had a roommate from dec 2010 through May 2012. She did not pay and she still has her stuff here. Can I just throw it out?
  • Apr 26, 2012, 09:52 AM
    ScottGem
    Well since May is still a week off, she is technically still there.

    You need to send her a letter to her forwarding or last know address (which may be your address), preferably certified, stating that unless she retrieves her things within 14-30 days, they will be disposed of.
  • Apr 26, 2012, 09:56 AM
    jetgirl29
    Ok... Just for my own clarification. She was not on the lease and never paid bills or rent I still Hve to give her at least !4 days?

    Thank you
  • Apr 26, 2012, 09:57 AM
    AK lawyer
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by jetgirl29 View Post
    I had a roomate from dec 2010 thru May 2012. she did not pay and she still has her stuff here. Can I just throw it out?

    May, 2012 hasn't arrived yet. So is she still there?

    Throw the stuff out and she might sue you for the value of the stuff. Put it in storage. If she comes back asking for the stuff, give her the key in exchange for what you paid for the first month's rental fee and the padlock. If it's after the first month, accumulated rental fees are between her and the storage facility.
  • Apr 26, 2012, 09:59 AM
    jetgirl29
    I am sorry I meant to say May 2011...
  • Apr 26, 2012, 10:13 AM
    ScottGem
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by jetgirl29 View Post
    Ok... Just for my own clarification. She was not on the lease and never paid bills or rent I still Hve to give her at least !4 days?

    Thank you

    Yes, she was there for 5 months. Enough to establish residency. So not paying rent or being on the lease has no bearing.

    The problem is, if you don't give her notice of your intention to dispose of the items, she can sue you for their value. So you want to protect yourself.
  • Apr 26, 2012, 12:44 PM
    joypulv
    May 2011? I suppose you can get technical, but most locales allow for abandonment after 30, 60, or 90 days. I've never heard of longer. I personally wouldn't do the storage locker business or spend more than a .45 stamp to your address specifying an abandonment date, and keep it unopened when it arrives.
    I might sort through her things and set aside anything small and of value, and she can pay past due rent to get them back.

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