Civil Code section 1993.04

(a)

A notice given to the former tenant that is in substantially the following form satisfies the requirements of Section 1993.03:
Notice of Right to Reclaim Abandoned Property
To:
(Name of former tenant)
(Address of former tenant)
When you vacated the premises at
,
(Address of premises, including room, if any)
the following personal property remained:
(Insert description of the personal property)
You may claim this property at
.
(Address where property may be claimed)
Unless you pay the reasonable cost of storage for all of the above-described property, and take possession of the property which you claim, not later than _______ (insert date not less than 15 days after notice is personally delivered or, if mailed, not less than 18 days after notice is deposited in the mail) this property may be disposed of pursuant to Section 1993.07 of the Civil Code.
(Insert here the statement required by subdivision (b) of this section)
Dated:
(Signature of landlord)
(Type or print name of landlord)
(Telephone number of landlord)
(Address of landlord)

(b)

The notice set forth in subdivision (a) shall also contain one of the following statements:

(1)

“If you fail to reclaim the property, it will be sold at a public sale after notice of the sale has been given by publication. You have the right to bid on the property at this sale. After the property is sold and the cost of storage, advertising, and sale is deducted, the remaining money will be paid over to the county. You may claim the remaining money at any time within one year after the county receives the money.”

(2)

“Because you were a commercial tenant and this property is believed to be worth less than either two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) or an amount equal to one month’s rent for the premises you occupied, whichever is greater, it may be kept, sold, or destroyed without further notice if you fail to reclaim it within the time indicated above.”

Source: Section 1993.04, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=CIV§ionNum=1993.­04.­ (accessed Jun. 2, 2025).

Last Updated

May 12, 2025

§ 1993.04’s source at ca​.gov