Roommate moved out/evicted. Their stuff has been here for 28 days

Location: NY. Specifically Erie County

Roommates moved out on May 7. They (a couple) were two months behind on rent and also owe me about $750 in bills (electric and gas) and I had to cover an extra $500 in rent for two months. We had separate leases. I let them move in August 2025 because they were leaving one place and assured me they would be gone by December at the latest. They were in the process of being evicted and voluntarily turned the keys over (to me, not the landlord.) Landlord is aware they are gone and I have the keys. Landlord had served them with a quit-claim(?). Either way, they’ve been gone almost 30 days and have been dodging me about nailing down a specific date they can come get their stuff

I do not have a forwarding address to send a certified letter, but I do have text messages showing that I want their stuff gone ASAP, what hours Im available for them to come get their stuff, and their responses being vague about when they are going to pick up their things. I’ve already let one of them come over and get essentials(?) She grabbed a bunch of bedding and some hampers of clothes.

At what point/date are their belongings considered abandoned? I’m talking 2 rooms full of stuff, not just a couple items. I really want to be done with these two, but I don’t wanna be surrounded by their piles of stuff while they sort out getting this stuff out. The stuff is mainly clothing and kitchen wares. They also left two TV’s and furniture that I don’t need/want. Along with a bunch of Lego sets that they sell on eBay

Basically, when can dispose of their property. Do I need to inventory everything before I dispose of it? Like what do I have to do to cover my ass legally.

I’m not scared they’ll go to the police since one of them has a bench warrant and their income comes from being low level drugs dealers. But at the same time I want a clean break from this situation and I do not want their stuff to slowly migrate to their new place or storage. I want this stuff gone quickly and quietly. I’m ready to put it all on the street and let them deal with it. But I’m not sure how liable I will be for anything that is lost/damaged

Posted Jun 4, 2026, 12:52 AM UTC

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