Just sharing. I know some of you will disagree with my actions, but that's OK. I've considered my rationale and am comfortable with my choices (for now at least ; ).
Regarding my roomer who was arrested and charged with a felony for a fight in the driveway (some of you may remember - I gave video to police):
His sister called me asking if she could get his belongings and store them for him. She is not listed as one of his emergency contacts, and I have no written permission from him to let her have his stuff. However....
Because of his long, good prior history in my rental, I decided to try to let him keep possession of his stuff - so he has something when he gets out. AND because someone will have to do the work to clear it out - may as well be someone else! His room is quite full. His security deposit is more than gone for unpaid rent, no point in hiring someone on my dime. (newer roomers now pay last week's rent up front).
So I was willing to go just a couple miles to the local jail today, during visiting hours, to get him to sign a document officially giving up all rights to the dwelling, end the rental agreement, turn over possession and give permission to his sister to take his stuff. I would rather have it tightened up, legally-speaking, with his signature. However....
He was transferred to another facility yesterday, so that's the end of my signature-seeking and "generosity" (almost).
My solution: I decided to in invoke the clause that says, basically: "unoccupied + rent not paid + no communication, for 7 days = abandonment." So I can take possession and dispose of his items as I see fit = put them to the street. BUT I still would rather not do it myself/hire help. So I called the sister.
She already has a truck, boxes, people - ready to get his stuff today. I explained it to her this way: I now own his stuff. It will be put "on the street" today ay 1:00 PM. It will be available for anyone to take at that point. If some friendly folks volunteer themselves to help me move it out of the building, I will accept the help - and they will conveniently be there to have first dibs on anything they want to take. She got it. So, hopefully it will be cleaned out today.
This is a "big" room that people prefer, so it shouldn't take too long to fill.
BTW/FYI: I have chewed on the issue of whether to report/share video with police, since it ended up costing me money. I would do it the same again.
On a recent visit, I was chatting with the other roomer involved in the fight (was not charged for just using fists after the trespasser threw something at him), as well as the third roomer on that floor and a neighborhood guy who was visiting. I definitely got the feeling that the message was received that "I don't play", and criminal activity will not be tolerated. And there was discussion about how it would have been better to just go inside and let him leave. They know the guy from down the street, and he was just drunk & being stupid, didn't have to go there, the jailed one shouldn't have lost his head like that, etc.
--68.10.xxx.x