End of Lease Term - Hoarder

Investor · Bridgeville, PA · Member since 2017 · 27 posts · 16 votes

I have posted previously about acquiring a property with existing tenants, one of which being a hoarder. We provided a notice of non renewal in January with a lease end date of April 30. As of yesterday, the tenant has made no attempt to move any property, reportedly does not have other living accommodations and requested an extension of the lease, to which we denied. Pennsylvania's 10-30 law for notice of personal property requires us to keep the items for at least 10 days, but up to 30 if the tenant responds.

Given to unsafe condition of the property and the now end of lease term, how would you all handle this situation and do we have any options other than waiting and hoping that they vacate without eviction or abandonment of property?

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Richard F.

Honolulu, HI · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes

6mo

Once they are physically out by Court order or voluntarily having turned over the keys, thoroughly document by photos and video every room, every closet, with witnesses. Secure the property by boarding up all windows and doors securely. Make sure utils are turned off/out of Tenant name. Have one or two, (or more?) 20/40 yard rolloffs delivered for day 31, and round up day labor from HD or other popular locations. Once the amount of personal property inside has dwindled, assess what else you need to demo and load into the rolloffs as well.

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Theresa HarrisPro Member
Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
6mo
Put them in touch with a local charity or church group if they have no place to go. They've had plenty of time to find a place, but my guess is they also have some mental health issues as well and it will end up being an eviction.
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Bill B.
Investor · Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 10k+ votes
6mo
Unless you get written permission to toss everything and they’ve left the place. (You won’t and they probably won’t) you’re going to end up storing everything, probably as is/where is for 30 days. This kind of mental condition is going to lead to wild claims in court if anything is moved. Because “something” will be missing, something very sentimental to them.
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Richard F.
Honolulu, HI · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
6mo
Once they are physically out by Court order or voluntarily having turned over the keys, thoroughly document by photos and video every room, every closet, with witnesses. Secure the property by boarding up all windows and doors securely. Make sure utils are turned off/out of Tenant name. Have one or two, (or more?) 20/40 yard rolloffs delivered for day 31, and round up day labor from HD or other popular locations. Once the amount of personal property inside has dwindled, assess what else you need to demo and load into the rolloffs as well.
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Dan H.Pro Member
Investor · Poway, CA · Member since 2015 · 7k+ posts · 8k+ votes
6mo
Assuming no rent control, I think I would have extended at 25% above market rent for 3 months. If they want a further extension, the next 3 months would be at 50% above market rent. Additional 3 months would be at 75% above market rent. …
At some point they will move out. The cost not to move out is quickly too high not to move out. If at some point they fail to pay, the eviction process takes over, but at least you have been paid additional for the inconvenience.
Good luck
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Drew SygitBusiness Member
Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 13k+ posts · 9k+ votes
6mo
Quote from @David Graham:

I have posted previously about acquiring a property with existing tenants, one of which being a hoarder. We provided a notice of non renewal in January with a lease end date of April 30. As of yesterday, the tenant has made no attempt to move any property, reportedly does not have other living accommodations and requested an extension of the lease, to which we denied. Pennsylvania's 10-30 law for notice of personal property requires us to keep the items for at least 10 days, but up to 30 if the tenant responds.

Given to unsafe condition of the property and the now end of lease term, how would you all handle this situation and do we have any options other than waiting and hoping that they vacate without eviction or abandonment of property?

Why are you handling this "sensitive" situation w/o an experienced eviction attorney?
[email protected]248-209-6824
Logical Property Management4.9464 Reviews
Website View Page
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Junise Murat
Property Manager · Palm Beach County, FL · Member since 2026 · 5 posts · 0 votes
6mo
It sounds like you’ve done what you’re supposed to do on the front end with the non-renewal.

At this point, with the lease expired they’d be considered a holdover tenant. I get wanting to avoid eviction, especially given the situation, but with no effort to move out and the condition of the unit being a concern, this is probably where I’d involve an attorney.

These situations can get messy pretty quickly especially with personal property and safety issues. Wishing you luck
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Jim Johnson
Real Estate Agent · Memphis · Member since 2026 · 626 posts · 359 votes
6mo
Situations like this are tough, especially when it’s been building for a while.

At this point, it usually becomes less about hoping for a voluntary move-out and more about following a clean, documented process. If they don’t vacate by the lease end, you’re likely looking at formal eviction to regain possession — even if they’ve been non-responsive.

With hoarding cases, the main risk is the condition of the property and how that impacts safety, turnover time, and cost. That’s where documentation really matters:
• Photos/videos of current condition
• All communication attempts
• Copies of notices served

On the personal property side, you’re already on the right track following Pennsylvania’s 10–30 day requirements. It’s not ideal, but staying compliant there protects you if anything is disputed later.

If you haven’t already, this is usually where a local attorney or eviction specialist is worth involving early — not just for filing, but to make sure each step is handled cleanly given the property condition.

The goal here is less about speeding it up and more about avoiding mistakes that drag it out longer.
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David Graham
OP
Investor · Bridgeville, PA · Member since 2017 · 27 posts · 16 votes
6mo
Thank you everyone for the feedback!

An update of where we are today. Shortly after posting this, the tenant's family reached out to inform us that they would be assisting most of this week to move her back to her home town (just over an hour away). As of this morning, they have been able to clear two rooms of items and will have multiple U-Hauls there throughout the week and this upcoming weekend to empty the remaining items.

Yes, this weekend is past the end of lease date, but it is cheaper for us to extend the end of the lease to May 3, than it would be to rent dumpsters for all of the items in the house.

@Drew Sygit @Jim Johnson Agree with the attorney and I had been in contact with our attorney over the last month to ensure that we would be in good position should we have to go the route of evicting the tenant.
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- Drew SygitBusiness Member
  Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 13k+ posts · 9k+ votes
  6mo
  Quote from @David Graham:
  
  Thank you everyone for the feedback!
  
  An update of where we are today. Shortly after posting this, the tenant's family reached out to inform us that they would be assisting most of this week to move her back to her home town (just over an hour away). As of this morning, they have been able to clear two rooms of items and will have multiple U-Hauls there throughout the week and this upcoming weekend to empty the remaining items.
  
  Yes, this weekend is past the end of lease date, but it is cheaper for us to extend the end of the lease to May 3, than it would be to rent dumpsters for all of the items in the house.
  
  @Drew Sygit @Jim Johnson Agree with the attorney and I had been in contact with our attorney over the last month to ensure that we would be in good position should we have to go the route of evicting the tenant.
  
  Glad the situation is improving for you.
  Be prepared as there's a high likelihood they will leave some junk behind.
  To protect yourself, recommend getting tenant to put in writing that they are giving you possession of the property and forfeiting claims to any personal possessions left behind.
  [email protected]248-209-6824
  Logical Property Management4.9464 Reviews
  Website View Page
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