A Commercial Tenant Left Property Behind: What California Civil Code 1993 Says

Most guides about abandoned tenant property cover apartments and houses. Commercial space has its own rules in California, in Civil Code sections 1993 to 1993.09. They work much like the residential rules but have a higher value threshold. This is a plain-language summary to help you plan. It is not legal advice, so check your situation with your attorney before you dispose of anything.

Which Rules Apply: Commercial or Residential?

If the space was leased as commercial real property (an office, a shop, a warehouse bay or a restaurant), the commercial rules in Civil Code 1993 and the sections after it apply. If it was a home or an apartment, the residential rules in Civil Code 1980 to 1991 apply instead. We cover those in our guide to abandoned tenant items in California.

The Notice: 15 or 18 Days

Under Civil Code 1993.04, the notice you send must give a date by which the property has to be claimed. That date can be no earlier than 15 days after the notice is personally delivered, or 18 days after it is mailed. These are the same periods as the residential rules.

Count from the delivery or mailing date, and do not book the haul for any day before the claim date has passed.

The Value Threshold: $2,500 or One Month's Rent

Civil Code 1993.07 sets what happens once the claim date has passed. If you reasonably believe the property would resell for less than $2,500, or less than one month's rent for the space if that is higher, you may keep it or dispose of it in any manner. Above that threshold, the property has to be sold at public sale under the statute's rules.

Compare that with the residential threshold of $700. A commercial space full of desks, shelving and leftover stock can be worth more than people expect, so take photos and write down how you estimated the value before you decide.

The current threshold was set by AB 2173, effective January 1, 2019. The statute text is on the California Legislature's site: Civil Code 1993.04 and Civil Code 1993.07.

A Practical Order of Steps

• Confirm the tenancy has ended and you have possession of the space.
• Photograph everything that was left, room by room.
• Send the notice with a claim date at least 15 days out if delivered in person, or 18 days if mailed.
• Estimate resale value honestly and note how you got there.
• After the claim date: dispose of it if it is under the threshold, or arrange a public sale if it is over.
• Then book the cleanout so the space is ready to re-lease.

When It Is Time to Clear the Space

Once the claim date has passed and the property can be disposed of, Take Care Junk clears offices, retail units and warehouse bays across the Sacramento area. Furniture, shelving, fixtures that are already unbolted, and leftover stock all go in one visit when the space allows. Usable items go to donation when we can.

For specific space types, see office cleanouts, retail store closings and warehouse cleanouts, or start at our commercial junk removal page.