The short answer
A tenant move-out cleanout clears out everything a former tenant left in a unit so you can turn it over. Before anything goes, make sure the tenancy has legally ended and that the belongings are trash, not property you still have to store and give notice on under California law. Once you're clear, Roa Solution Junk Removal can empty an apartment or house, often same-day or next-day, starting at $250.
First: is it trash or is it the tenant's property?
A unit full of stuff after move-out is common. But in California, belongings a tenant leaves behind aren't automatically yours to throw away. Before you book anyone, answer two questions: has the tenancy legally ended, and has the tenant left the property behind in a way the law treats as abandoned?
If you're not sure, stop and check before you clear anything. This post is a plain-language overview, not legal advice. Talk to a landlord-tenant attorney about your situation.
What California's official guides say about belongings left behind
California handles property left after a tenancy ends through the Civil Code. Here is what two official state guides say, at a high level.
The California Department of Real Estate's Landlords' and Tenants' Rights Guide says that after a lockout, the landlord must take reasonable care of the tenant's belongings and store them in a safe place, either in the unit or somewhere else. The landlord may charge reasonable storage and moving costs before the tenant takes them back. If the tenant doesn't reclaim them within 15 days, the landlord can mail a notice to pick them up, and can then sell them at auction or keep them if they're worth less than $700.
The California Courts Self-Help Guide describes a Notice of Belief of Abandonment for when rent is 14 or more days late and you have good reason to think the tenant moved out. It gives the tenant at least 15 days to respond if delivered in person, or 18 days if mailed. The guide warns that if you're wrong, the tenant can sue for wrongful eviction.
- Not legal advice. Read the official pages linked below and talk to an attorney.
- Keep copies of every notice, date and photo.
- When in doubt, store it. Don't haul it.
“I needed my apartment cleaned out immediately.”
When a cleanout makes sense
Once the notice periods have run, or the tenant has told you in writing what they left on purpose, you're usually dealing with plain junk: old furniture, mattresses, broken appliances, bags of clothes, and whatever ended up in the garage or the patio.
That's when a junk removal crew saves you a weekend. You don't have to carry anything to the curb or rent a truck.
How an apartment or house cleanout works with Roa
Roa Solution Junk Removal is owner-operated out of Pasadena. Isaiah answers the phone and works the jobs with his crew.
We work in apartments, houses, garages and other accessible areas, and we carry everything out. Pricing starts at $250 and is based on truck space, materials, weight, access and labor. The crew breaks down bulky pieces so they take less room in the truck.
For bigger units we can give an on-site estimate. If you add items on pickup day, the price is adjusted for them.
- Text photos of each room to (562) 219-9266
- Get a price back by text
- Pick a day: same-day or next-day depending on availability
- We load, haul, and sweep up after
A quick turnover checklist for landlords
Take a few minutes before the crew shows up. It saves a second trip and a lot of back and forth.
- Photograph each room before the cleanout, for your records
- Check closets, cabinets, the garage, storage lockers, the patio and the side yard
- Pull out anything that belongs to the unit and should stay
- Set aside papers, keys or valuables you find so you can deal with them properly
- Tell us about stairs, elevators, parking and gate codes
You don't always have to be there
Property managers often can't meet a crew at every unit. If we have clear access, instructions and payment arranged, we may be able to do the pickup without you on site. Tell us how to get in and what stays.
Mark anything that stays, like appliances that belong to the unit, window coverings or a fridge you're keeping. A strip of tape and a note in your text helps.
What customers say
mia M. had us clear out what a previous tenant left: "It was an absolutely seamless experience, getting rid of a bunch of junk left by a previous tenant".
Willow R. needed an apartment cleared fast: "I needed my apartment cleaned out immediately."
Sources
- California Department of Real Estate: Landlords' and Tenants' Rights Guide, Terminations and Evictions
- California Courts Self-Help Guide: Types of eviction notices for landlords
Rules change. Check the city or county page before you rely on a limit, fee or date.