Death of tenant with no next of kin?

[Nina Liu]

Hi all, hoping to get some feedback on what you would do in this situation. Tenant died owing almost 10k. Police and detectives could not find any next of kin. The only thing of value they left behind was a small trailer and car (worth under $5k together). Lawyer advised that I would have to get a judgment against his estate before executing against any of the personal property. That means an estate would have to be set up. It's already been over 1.5 months since his death. 

I have read some other posts where people were able to transfer title, but might be more difficult in NYS. Any experience in this or should I just have his items towed? 

Edit: We are able to clean his unit up and get it rented. We have a large parking lot so the car and trailer can remain on property without being in the way. 

[Theresa Harris]

Get everything packed into a storage locker, clean the place and get it rented.  Then try to figure out what you are legally required to do with the stuff that was left behind.  In normal circumstances (not a death), you have to keep items for 30-60 days depending on local laws and then you can toss them.