If the abandoned property was reasonably estimated to be worth less than $300, the landlord was entitled to dispose of it in any manner as she/he saw fit; but if the property was worth $300 or more, a landlord was required to hold an advertised public sale or auction open to competitive bidding.

Finally, after years of debate, the above monetary threshold value has finally been increased from $300 to $700, thereby allowing a California landlord to keep, sell, or destroy a tenant’s unclaimed abandoned personal property if the total resale value of the property is reasonably believed to be less than $700.

Under recently enacted legislation, California Civil Code §1950.5 (f)(1) and 1946 are amended to further provide that a landlord may not charge for storage costs if the former tenant reclaims their abandoned property within two (2) days; and to provide that a landlord may send the 15-day or 18-day abandoned personal property notice to the tenant by e-mail to an address provided by the tenant.