California Compliance
California has some of the most detailed abandoned personal property requirements in the country. Notice, holding, valuation, publication, and sale rules are strictly defined, and lease language cannot override these statutory obligations.
Property owners and managers must follow the required process carefully to reduce delay, disputes, and risk exposure.
How Abandoned Property Is Handled In California
Once abandonment is legally established, personal property cannot simply be discarded or claimed. California law requires a defined sequence of notice, holding, valuation, and lawful disposition before property may be sold or disposed of.
Failure to follow these steps can restart timelines or expose owners and managers to claims after the fact.
Notice & Holding Requirements
California requires service of a Notice of Right to Reclaim Abandoned Property once abandonment is established.
Property must then be held for the full statutory period before any disposition occurs. The method of service affects the length of the holding period, and documentation of notice is critical.
Valuation & Disposition
In California, value determines the disposition pathway.
Depending on whether statutory thresholds are exceeded:
- Lower-value property may be disposed of after the holding period
- Higher-value property must be sold at public sale
Professional appraisal is commonly used to document value and support good-faith decision-making.
Publication & Sale Obligations
When a public sale is required:
- Notice of sale must be published in a newspaper of general circulation
- The sale must be conducted in a commercially reasonable manner
- Sale proceeds must be handled in accordance with statute
These requirements are mandatory and cannot be bypassed for convenience.
Lease Language Does Not Override Statute
In California, lease provisions cannot waive statutory abandoned property requirements.
Even where a lease states that abandoned property becomes the landlord’s property or may be immediately disposed of, statutory notice, holding, publication, and sale requirements still apply. This is a common source of risk in commercial cases.
California Services Coverage
MEGA Auctions supports abandoned property, appraisal, and asset services across California, Nevada, and Arizona. Our team operates throughout California, including Greater Los Angeles, Orange County, Inland Empire, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego County, San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, San Jose, Oakland, Fresno, Bakersfield, and Stockton.
For multi-location portfolios or cross-state matters, services are coordinated through a single point of contact.
When To Involve MEGA Auctions
California abandoned property matters are best handled with assistance:
- Immediately after eviction or notice of abandonment
- Before property is moved, discarded, or sold
- When valuation affects disposition requirements
- When publication or public sale obligations apply
Early involvement helps ensure compliance and avoid rework.
Statutory Reference (California)
Residential Abandoned Property
- California Civil Code §§ 1980–1991
- Holding period: 15 days (personal service) / 18 days (mail)
- Public sale required if value exceeds $700
Commercial Abandoned Property
- California Civil Code §§ 1993–1997
- Holding period: 15 days (personal service) / 18 days (mail)
- Public sale required if value exceeds $2,500
Publication Requirement
- Required when a public sale is mandated
- Must be published in a newspaper of general circulation
Disclaimer
The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Application depends on the specific facts of each situation and applicable law.