Goods and documents left behind

Goods and documents left behind after a tenant/resident has moved out must be returned or disposed of according to a specific set of rules.

Personal documents (such as money, passports, birth certificates, photographs): must be given to the tenant or, if they are uncontactable, the Office of the Public Trustee, within 7 days of the end of the tenancy. The owner/manager must make an effort to contact the tenant/resident about these items.

Goods valued at less than $1500: Goods left behind that could be unhealthy or unsafe to store, that would reduce their value by storing them and/or the cost of removing, storing and selling them would be more than their value, can be sold or disposed of straight away, e.g. food.
Goods valued at more than $1500: Must be stored for 1 month, after which they can be sold at auction. The auction must be advertised in a newspaper available locally and must list the goods and state the time, day and place of the auction which must be at least 7 days after the notice is published, e.g. cars, furniture or caravans.
The lessor/agent can deduct the cost of the removal, storage and sale of the goods from the money raised through their sale and any remaining money must be paid to the Office of the Public Trustee. Any costs for other money owing must be applied for through the Tribunal.
The tenant can reclaim their goods before they are disposed of. They must put this request in writing and pay costs the lessor/agent has paid for removal or storage.
An lessor/agent can not hold onto a tenant’s possessions in lieu of rent or other money owed.
Goods should be valued to determine their worth; an item that may appear to be junk can actually be valuable.
Take photos of items being disposed of in case of future dispute.

All goods must be kept for 28 days apart from perishable items worth less than $150.
Goods valued at less than $150: May be disposed of if they are perishable.
Goods valued at less than $600: May be donated to charity.
Goods valued at more than $600: Must be stored for 28 days, after which they can be sold. The sale must be advertised in a newspaper available locally.
The provider/agent may use the money raised from the sale of the goods to cover the reasonable costs for the storage, advertising and sale of the goods, and pay any outstanding amount owed by the resident under the agreement. Any remaining money must be paid to the person entitled to the property (if located by the time of sale) or to the Public Trustee.
The resident can reclaim their goods before they are disposed of. They must put this request in writing and pay costs the provider/agent has paid for removal or storage.
Goods should be valued to determine their worth; an item that may appear to be junk can actually be valuable.
Take photos of items being disposed of in case of future dispute.