Tenant died of COVID. What does a LL do next?

I recently learned one of my tenants passed away of COVID while sheltering in place with family at an another location.
Tenant hasn’t been at the building or the unit in over a month.
What are the landlords obligations here to manage the unit and the persons possessions?
Do I let family members with keys remove things? How do I cancel the lease?
What other steps do I need to do?
Thanks.

mozeeatupu

in General Discussion 5 years and 2 months ago

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JohnHancock | 5 years ago

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there’s an article in the real estate section of the NYTimes today on that topic

benoit | 5 years and 1 month ago

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https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2020/05/11/realestate/can-a-landlord-enter-enter-rental-after-tenant-dies.amp.html

Guest User | 5 years and 1 month ago

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We work to get apartment surrender/recovery agreement signed while also making considerate arrangements with next of kin regarding tenant belongings. With or without attorney depending on circumstances

Guest User | 5 years and 1 month ago

string(1) "3"
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We work to get apartment surrender/recovery agreement signed while also making considerate arrangements with next of kin regarding tenant belongings. With or without attorney depending on circumstances

Guest User | 5 years and 2 months ago

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If it were me, I would start by asking them gently how long they would want and strongly consider waiving rent if it is a reasonable period given the above,en.china.cn

whitrod

in General Discussion 5 years and 2 months ago

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@mozeeatupu seems like a good guy.

Chas373 | 5 years and 2 months ago

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If it were me, I’d consult with a landlord tenant Atty. For at least the past 10 years I have seen tenants becoming more and more hostile to landlords and I’m talking about decent reasonable landlords. If minuscule “troubles” arise whereby the tenant complains and you deem them beyond your responsibility to address, it can quickly turn nasty though you politely explain time and again that you can do nothing to help. Examples : a quietly ticking steam heat riser that lasts for 2-3 minutes while heat first comes up or an installation of a new streetlamp by NYC and the light is too bright for them. Now in this pandemic everything has been kicked up a notch. I already am thinking for your situation the family could want to hold on to that apartment because (John’s) possessions are there. Letting the apt. go could be like letting go his memory for them. I’m all for having a heart for people and yet knowing what legal rights you have will help you decide just how much or how little you’ll do for them. Consulting with a landlord /tenant atty will give you the info you need to make a wise balanced decision. In the consultation you go over all the facts as they are now as well as every conceivable possibility you can think of. Also, should the family decide to get nasty it would be crucial to have the Atty all lined up for a quick response to nudge them back to reality. It will be a bit of money well spent to prevent more money lost or nightmarish trouble later on.

mozeeatupu | 5 years and 2 months ago

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Family actually never told us the tenant passed or had COVID. The tenant lived alone and went to go stay elsewhere during this and we came across his obituary online.
I’ll wait a few weeks and contact the family and see what their plans are.

SoSlope | 5 years and 2 months ago

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Seems like a good time for some compassion. It may take the family a while to clean out the apartment. Not only are they mourning, but they are likely sheltering-in-place themselves, may also be sick, subject to quarantine, etc. On top of that, you are also likely to have some challenges re-renting the apartment given current restrictions, so giving the family extra time isn’t really going to cost you anything.

If it were me, I would start by asking them gently how long they would want and strongly consider waiving rent if it is a reasonable period given the above.

yudashasom | 5 years and 2 months ago

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Every landlord handles it differently. Give them a date to remove the belongings, and set up a time to sign a “surrender of lease”. Include whatever language you would like, like anything left behind is deemed abandoned, and the person signing is the executor or person in charge. Don’t let anyone in without keys.