Sec. 1. 14 MRSA §6013, as affected by PL 1997, c. 508, Pt, A, §3 and amended by Pt. B, §3, is further amended to read:

§6013. Property abandoned by tenant

Any property with a total value of $500 $750 or more that is abandoned or unclaimed by a tenant following the tenant's vacating the rental unit must be disposed of according to Title 33, chapter 41.

The landlord shall place in storage in a safe, dry, secured location any property with a total value of less than $500 $750 that is abandoned or unclaimed by a tenant following the tenant's vacating the rental unit. The landlord shall send written notice by first class mail with proof of mailing to the last known address of the tenant concerning the landlord's intent to dispose of the abandoned property. The notice must include an itemized list of the items and containers of items of property abandoned. If the tenant claims the property within 14 days after the notice is sent, the landlord shall continue to store the property for at least 10 days after the tenant's response to allow the tenant time to take possession of the property. The landlord may condition the release of the property to the tenant upon the tenant's payment of all rental arrearages, damages and costs of storage. If the property remains unclaimed after the 14th day after notice has been sent or after the 10th day after the tenant claims the property, the landlord may sell the property for a reasonable fair market price and apply all proceeds to rental arrearages, damages and costs of storage and sale. All remaining balances must then be forwarded to the Treasurer of State.

SUMMARY

The Maine Revised Statutes, Title 14, section 6013 establishes the procedure for disposal of property with a value of less than $500 that is abandoned by a tenant. This bill extends application of this procedure to property with a value of less than $750.