Death of tenant with no apparent heirs

[Greg Elkins]

I am interested in any experiences dealing with the death of a tenant with no heirs.  My tenant passed away and was not found for apparently several weeks, so the smell in the house is unpleasant.  

Interested in a few things:

1. How long do I have to keep their belongings in storage if at all?  

2. Cleanup process and how to best get the smell out of the house?

Thanks for any advice!

[Tim Baldwin]

Don't know where your rental property is, but in Florida, we have a statute that deals with death of last remaining tenant and the procedures to follow to allow the landlord to take possession of the property and dispose of the tenants personal property. You should consult with a landlord attorney in your state to get advice to ensure you follow proper, legal steps. Best wishes.