ORDINANCE NO. BL2013-486

An ordinance amending Title 10 of the Metropolitan Code pertaining to the procedure to be followed by landlords when handling a former tenant’s personal property after eviction.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That Title 10 of the Metropolitan Code is hereby amended by adding the following new Chapter 10.22 – Disposal and Removal of Personal Property

CHAPTER 10.22 DISPOSAL AND REMOVAL OF PERSONAL PROPERTY

10.22.010 Discarding onto metropolitan government property.
Upon the eviction of a residential tenant, a landlord or owner of residential real estate, or agent thereof, that discards a tenant’s personal property, including, but not limited to, household furniture, appliances, equipment, and clothing, onto any right-of-way, easement, or property owned or maintained by the metropolitan government shall notify the department of public works by telephone or email not later than the next business day following the eviction, and the landlord or owner shall discard and remove such property in accordance with the provisions set forth in this chapter.

10.22.020 Removal procedures.
A. A landlord or owner of residential real estate, or agent thereof, that discards residential tenant property onto a right-of-way, easement, or property owned or maintained by the metropolitan government after an eviction shall discard such property, excluding bulky items, in heavy duty trash bags or cardboard boxes in a neat and organized manner. Any landlord or owner of residential real estate, or agent thereof, shall make arrangements for the removal and proper storage or disposal of such property within two business days of such eviction.
B. A landlord or owner of residential real estate, or agent thereof, that fails to notify the department of public works and remove such property in the manner set forth in this chapter shall be issued a citation. In the event the personal property is not properly removed or disposed of and the department of public works collects and disposes of the property, then the landlord or owner of residential real estate, or agent thereof, shall be assessed the actual costs incurred by the department of public works for the removal and disposal of such property.
C. Each day that the discarded personal property remains on a right-of-way, easement, or property owned or maintained by the metropolitan government, in violation of this section shall constitute a separate offense punishable by a fine in the amount of fifty dollars per offense.

Section 2. This Ordinance shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Jacobia Dowell