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Former Tenant Left All Their Belongings When They Moved Out A Month Ago And I Can't Reach Them. What Are My Options? [tx]

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location: Texas

So my situation is a bit frustrating and I want to make sure I handle this correctly before I do anything.

I was renting out a room in my house to a tenant. The arrangement was month to month, no formal lease, just a verbal agreement and I collected rent via Venmo. He gave me notice about six weeks ago that he was moving out at the end of the month which was fine, no issues between us, everything was civil.

Move out day came and he took some of his things but left a significant amount of stuff behind. We're talking a dresser, a bookshelf, a small TV, boxes of clothes and random personal items. He said he'd come back for the rest "within a few days." That was 31 days ago.

I've texted him six times across three different numbers I have for him. Two of the numbers go straight to voicemail, one rings but no answer. I sent a message to his instagram which shows as delivered but not read. I don't have an email for him and I don't know his new address.

The room is just sitting there full of his stuff and I need it back. I have someone interested in renting it starting next month and I genuinely don't know what I'm legally allowed to do here.

Can I just box everything up and put it in my garage? Can I donate it or throw it out? Do I need to store it for a specific period of time before I can legally dispose of it? And does the fact that we had no written lease affect any of this?

I want to do this right and not end up liable for anything. Any guidance appreciated.

submitted by /u/ArcaneVHS_3
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