What happens after sheriff lockout?

Landlord takes possession, re-keys, documents condition with photos, handles any belongings left under §1980–1991, completes §1950.5 deposit itemization within 21 days, repairs/cleans, and re-rents.

What about belongings left in the unit?

§1980–1991 procedure: serve Notice of Right to Reclaim, wait 15–18 days, dispose if under §1988 threshold or sell at public sale if above. Don't discard immediately even after lockout.

Can I deduct cleanup costs from the deposit?

Standard §1950.5 deductions: damage beyond normal wear and tear, cleaning to restore move-in condition, unpaid rent. Get contractor invoices for the work. Itemize in the 21-day statement.

When can I re-rent the unit?

After lockout, post-cleanup, and once habitability is restored. There's no statutory waiting period. The faster you re-rent, the smaller the lost-rent damages from the prior tenant.

What records do I keep?

Photographs of condition at lockout, contractor invoices, cleaning receipts, communications with tenant about belongings, the §1983 Notice of Right to Reclaim, deposit itemization, and re-rental documentation. The file supports any post-eviction money judgment and any prior-tenant collection action.

§1980-1991 · §1950.5 cleanup

After the sheriff lockout. Document, clean, handle belongings, re-rent.

Re-key, photograph everything, handle belongings under §1980, complete §1950.5 itemization within 21 days, and get the unit back on the market.

TL;DR

Sheriff hands over → re-key → photograph condition → §1980–1991 for belongings (Notice of Right to Reclaim, 15–18 days, dispose/sell per §1988) → §1950.5 itemization within 21 days → repairs/cleaning → re-rent.

Sheriff Lockout
Abandoned Property
Itemized Statement

Common questions — post-eviction

After lockout?

Re-key, document, handle belongings, deposit itemization, re-rent.

Belongings?

§1980–1991 procedure. Notice + waiting + dispose or sell.

Cleanup from deposit?

Standard §1950.5 deductions with invoices.

Re-rent timing?

No statutory wait. Faster = less lost-rent damage.

Records?

Photos, invoices, communications, notices, itemization, re-rental docs.