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Overview
A commercial tenant handed back the keys and left the desks, the shelving and half the stock. Here are the notice periods and the value threshold in Civil Code 1993, and how they differ from the residential rules most guides cover.
The tenant turned in the keys on the first. Inside the unit: a wall of steel shelving, two dozen chairs, a counter that is still bolted down, and boxes of stock nobody is coming back for. You want the space re-leased by the fifteenth. You also cannot touch any of it until the law says you can.
Most guides to abandoned tenant property cover apartments and houses. Commercial space has its own rules in California, Civil Code sections 1993 to 1993.09. They work much like the residential rules but carry 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.
| Rule | Commercial (Civil Code 1993) | Residential (Civil Code 1980 to 1991) |
|---|---|---|
| Claim date when notice is delivered in person | At least 15 days after delivery | At least 15 days after delivery |
| Claim date when notice is mailed | At least 18 days after mailing | At least 18 days after mailing |
| May keep or dispose of it if resale value is under | $2,500, or one month's rent if higher | $700 (Civil Code 1988) |
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, we clear 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. Text photos of the unit to (916) 770-7619 and we price it by truck space before the crew arrives.
“Serge of TCJ Hauling is very professional. I had a large assortment of junk and garbage that needed a quick removal from a rental location. He responded quickly to my call and within a small window of time, all the junk was gone. His pricing is very fair; competitive even.”
Greg Wilker, GoogleFor specific space types, see office cleanouts, retail store closings and warehouse cleanouts, or start at our commercial junk removal page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long must a California landlord keep a commercial tenant's abandoned property?
Until the claim date in the notice. Under Civil Code 1993.04 that date is at least 15 days after personal delivery of the notice, or 18 days after mailing. This is general information, not legal advice.
What is the value threshold for commercial abandoned property in California?
Under Civil Code 1993.07, if the property would resell for less than $2,500, or less than one month's rent if that is higher, the landlord may keep it or dispose of it after the claim date. Otherwise it goes to public sale.
Is the commercial threshold the same as the residential one?
No. The residential threshold under Civil Code 1988 is $700. The commercial threshold is $2,500 or one month's rent, whichever is greater.
Real Customer Reviews
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