{"id":8346,"date":"2026-11-09T13:08:31","date_gmt":"2026-11-09T12:08:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/junkbrothers.be\/?p=8346"},"modified":"2026-11-09T13:09:32","modified_gmt":"2026-11-09T12:09:32","slug":"items-left-behind-by-the-landlord","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/junkbrothers.be\/en\/kotbaas-achtergelaten-spullen\/","title":{"rendered":"Dorm Supervisor: What can you do with items a student leaves behind?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"8346\" class=\"elementor elementor-8346\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c3b12ee e-con e-atomic-element e-div-block-base e-default-div e-29f498f5-230e\" data-id=\"c3b12ee\" data-element_type=\"e-div-block\" data-e-type=\"e-div-block\" data-interaction-id=\"c3b12ee\">\n    \t\t\t<p class=\"e-paragraph-base e-default-p\" data-interaction-id=\"11a03d2c\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"11a03d2c\">At the end of the academic year, it\u2019s move-out time at the dorm. One student is leaving, and the next one will be moving in soon. And then, as the dorm manager, you\u2019re left with a room that has a mattress, a desk chair, three boxes, and a bike in the hallway. Can you just get rid of those?<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-paragraph-base e-default-p\" data-interaction-id=\"306a0c20\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"306a0c20\">In this article, you'll learn what you're allowed to do, what steps you should take, and how to quickly get your apartment ready to rent again.<\/p>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5e68d230 e-con e-atomic-element e-div-block-base e-default-div e-79709902-a4ce\" data-id=\"5e68d230\" data-element_type=\"e-div-block\" data-e-type=\"e-div-block\" data-interaction-id=\"5e68d230\">\n    \t\t\t<p class=\"e-paragraph-base e-default-p\" data-interaction-id=\"647c9a34\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"647c9a34\"><strong>In short:<\/strong> In principle, whatever a student leaves behind belongs to the student. You may not simply throw it away or keep it. Make a list with photos, send the student a written notice setting a deadline to pick up everything, and store the items safely in the meantime. Obvious trash may be disposed of. The easiest approach is prevention: agree in writing upon departure what will happen to any items left behind.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t<h2 data-interaction-id=\"6f8988d2\" class=\"e-heading-base e-default-h2\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"6f8988d2\">1. Whose belongings are these?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-paragraph-base e-default-p\" data-interaction-id=\"2316950b\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"2316950b\">In principle, whatever a student leaves behind remains his or her property. The fact that the lease has ended does not change that. So you may not simply throw the items away, sell them, or keep them for yourself.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-paragraph-base e-default-p\" data-interaction-id=\"77751c39\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"77751c39\">Flemish rental law does not have separate provisions regarding items left behind. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kuleuven.be\/stuvo\/kot\/huurders\/wetgeving\/achtergelaten-goederen\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">KU Leuven Housing Service (Stuvo)<\/a> Therefore, it recommends that landlords act as a \"good custodian\": take care of the items until the student comes to pick them up or clearly indicates that they may be disposed of.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 data-interaction-id=\"5bf23af8\" class=\"e-heading-base e-default-h2\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"5bf23af8\">2. Here's how to do it, step by step<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"e-202c874b-fe7d e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"588efd47\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"588efd47\"><ul><li><strong>Make a list of photos.<\/strong> Make a note of what's there, what condition it's in, and where it is. Take photos and date them.<\/li><li><strong>Put the items away safely<\/strong> if you need the space, such as in a storage room or an empty room.<\/li><li><strong>Send the student an email or a certified letter.<\/strong> Include what was left behind, where it is now, the deadline for picking it up, that you can charge for storage or relocation, and what will happen if no one responds.<\/li><li><strong>Set a reasonable deadline.<\/strong> There is no statutory time limit. In practice, the timeframe ranges from one to four months, depending on what was left behind.<\/li><li><strong>Save everything:<\/strong> the list, the photos, and the emails or letters. If a dispute arises later, you'll be able to show what you've done.<\/li><\/ul><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-paragraph-base e-default-p\" data-interaction-id=\"17932228\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"17932228\">It\u2019s best to hold onto valuable items\u2014such as a laptop, a bicycle, identification documents, diplomas, or bank documents\u2014for a longer period of time. Therefore, try to contact the student in more than one way, for example, through the parents if they co-signed the lease.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 data-interaction-id=\"68ad0025\" class=\"e-heading-base e-default-h2\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"68ad0025\">3. What can be thrown away right away?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-paragraph-base e-default-p\" data-interaction-id=\"41d0fe66\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"41d0fe66\">Obvious trash can be thrown away: spoiled food, empty bottles, trash bags, and broken items with no value. Not sure? Then treat it as something the student might still want.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-paragraph-base e-default-p\" data-interaction-id=\"7aac4fd5\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"7aac4fd5\">An old mattress or a rickety desk might seem worthless, but if the student later says it was still in good condition, you'll have a dispute. So always take pictures\u2014even of the things you throw away.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 data-interaction-id=\"2e13422d\" class=\"e-heading-base e-default-h2\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"2e13422d\">4. Who pays for the cleanup?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-paragraph-base e-default-p\" data-interaction-id=\"144f635d\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"144f635d\">You may charge the student for storage and relocation costs, as well as reasonable costs for cleaning up trash. Keep the charges reasonable, and make sure you can document the costs with an invoice.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-paragraph-base e-default-p\" data-interaction-id=\"42a564d4\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"42a564d4\">Do you want to deduct those costs from the rental security deposit? You can only do so with the student\u2019s written consent or through the justice of the peace. Read more in our article about <a href=\"https:\/\/junkbrothers.be\/en\/getting-your-rental-deposit-back\/\">Getting Your Security Deposit Back<\/a>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-paragraph-base e-default-p\" data-interaction-id=\"560cfe81\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"560cfe81\">If you're unsure, or if there are valuable items involved, it's best to seek legal advice. Are you using the model contract from KU Leuven? If so, the housing office can mediate if a problem arises.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 data-interaction-id=\"32594325\" class=\"e-heading-base e-default-h2\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"32594325\">5. Prevention is easier<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"e-1d3a678d-2d0b e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"36a47ec9\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"36a47ec9\"><ul><li><strong>Include this in your lease or dorm rules:<\/strong> what happens to items left behind after the tenant moves out, and what fees you charge in that case.<\/li><li><strong>Send a checklist one month before the end:<\/strong> What needs to be removed, what can stay (such as the furniture that comes with the room), by when, and how the keys will be returned. You can also simply use our <a href=\"https:\/\/junkbrothers.be\/en\/cleaning-out-a-dorm-room\/\">Checklist for Students<\/a> forward.<\/li><li><strong>Please fill out the property inspection form together upon departure.<\/strong> Go through the room, the basement, and the bike shed together. Have the student immediately confirm in writing what is being left behind and whether it\u2019s okay to take it away.<\/li><li><strong>Share tips on how to get rid of stuff:<\/strong> The next tenant might want to take the desk, and anything that's still in good condition can be listed on 2dehands.be or taken to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kringwinkel.be\/ophalingen\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Thrift Store<\/a>. Be sure to contact them first, though.<\/li><\/ul><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 data-interaction-id=\"50171018\" class=\"e-heading-base e-default-h2\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"50171018\">6. Getting the room ready to rent again quickly<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-paragraph-base e-default-p\" data-interaction-id=\"22d645eb\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"22d645eb\">There are often only a few days between tenants. We pick up everything that needs to be removed in a single day: furniture left behind, mattresses, boxes, old bicycles, and trash from the common areas. Reusable items are sent for reuse; the rest is disposed of properly.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-paragraph-base e-default-p\" data-interaction-id=\"2b4151f9\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"2b4151f9\">Do you have multiple student rooms or an entire student housing building? If so, we\u2019d be happy to set up a regular schedule with priority in our planning, provide a single consolidated invoice, and use a key if you\u2019re unable to be present. You\u2019ll always receive an invoice with VAT and a certificate confirming proper processing\u2014which is handy if you need to show a student the costs. Read how <a href=\"https:\/\/junkbrothers.be\/en\/regular-cleanup-companies\/\">a partnership with a professional cleaning company<\/a> works.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-paragraph-base e-default-p\" data-interaction-id=\"15bbc3c3\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"15bbc3c3\">You'll always receive a fixed price upfront, based on photos. You can find our estimated prices on the <a href=\"https:\/\/junkbrothers.be\/en\/prices\/\">prices page<\/a>. For individual pieces of furniture, such as a mattress or a cabinet, see <a href=\"https:\/\/junkbrothers.be\/en\/furniture-collection\/\">pick up furniture<\/a>. We serve Antwerp, all of Flanders, and the Brussels Region. In Leuven and the surrounding area, we come every Wednesday with no travel fee; on other days, the fee is \u20ac150 per trip. You can read more about this at <a href=\"https:\/\/junkbrothers.be\/en\/clearing-out-a-dorm-room-in-leuven\/\">Clearing Out a Student Apartment in Leuven<\/a>. Elsewhere outside Antwerp\u2014for example, in Ghent\u2014a travel surcharge of \u20ac30 to \u20ac150 applies, depending on the distance. This is always included in your price upfront.<\/p>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ac5be07 e-con e-atomic-element e-grid-base e-default-div e-25e2256f-c3eb\" data-id=\"1ac5be07\" data-element_type=\"e-grid\" data-e-type=\"e-grid\" data-interaction-id=\"1ac5be07\">\n    \t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"e-image-base e-default-img e-64dfa2a6-8494\" data-interaction-id=\"41fa4a40\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"41fa4a40\" id=\"8359\" src=\"https:\/\/junkbrothers.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/leuven-slaapkamer-voor-768x1024.jpg\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/junkbrothers.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/leuven-slaapkamer-voor-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/junkbrothers.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/leuven-slaapkamer-voor-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/junkbrothers.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/leuven-slaapkamer-voor-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/junkbrothers.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/leuven-slaapkamer-voor-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/junkbrothers.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/leuven-slaapkamer-voor-9x12.jpg 9w, https:\/\/junkbrothers.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/leuven-slaapkamer-voor.jpg 1920w\" alt=\"Bedroom in an apartment in Leuven with a bed and belongings, before it was cleared out\"\/>\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"e-image-base e-default-img e-3ca31655-8aec\" data-interaction-id=\"366d2231\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"366d2231\" id=\"8358\" src=\"https:\/\/junkbrothers.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/leuven-slaapkamer-na-765x1024.jpg\" width=\"765\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/junkbrothers.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/leuven-slaapkamer-na-765x1024.jpg 765w, https:\/\/junkbrothers.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/leuven-slaapkamer-na-224x300.jpg 224w, https:\/\/junkbrothers.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/leuven-slaapkamer-na-768x1029.jpg 768w, https:\/\/junkbrothers.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/leuven-slaapkamer-na-9x12.jpg 9w, https:\/\/junkbrothers.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/leuven-slaapkamer-na.jpg 896w\" alt=\"The same bedroom in Leuven, empty after being cleared out by JunkBrothers\"\/>\t\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t<p class=\"e-3ac67ceb-92a2 e-paragraph-base e-default-p\" data-interaction-id=\"5bfdc93\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"5bfdc93\">Before and after: a bedroom in Leuven that we cleared out.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 data-interaction-id=\"3369ed0e\" class=\"e-heading-base e-default-h2\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"3369ed0e\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 data-interaction-id=\"6fdc141e\" class=\"e-heading-base e-default-h3\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"6fdc141e\">Can I throw the items away if the student doesn't respond?<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-paragraph-base e-default-p\" data-interaction-id=\"7af463a8\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"7af463a8\">Don't do it right away. First, give them a reasonable amount of time in writing and keep everything safe in the meantime. Once that period has passed and you've documented everything, you can do what you announced in your letter. Obvious trash, however, can be thrown away right away.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 data-interaction-id=\"7306f0e8\" class=\"e-heading-base e-default-h3\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"7306f0e8\">Can I give the furniture that was left behind to the next student?<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-paragraph-base e-default-p\" data-interaction-id=\"70fa1b29\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"70fa1b29\">Only if the previous student agrees to this in writing. Without that agreement, the items remain his or hers.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 data-interaction-id=\"2f80e458\" class=\"e-heading-base e-default-h3\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"2f80e458\">Can you guys clear out a dorm room while I'm not there?<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-paragraph-base e-default-p\" data-interaction-id=\"55285dd9\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"55285dd9\">Yes. We use a key or a code, and return the key afterward as agreed.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 data-interaction-id=\"26d66c0c\" class=\"e-heading-base e-default-h3\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"26d66c0c\">Are you guys coming to Leuven, Ghent, or Brussels, too?<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-paragraph-base e-default-p\" data-interaction-id=\"774f511c\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"774f511c\">Yes. We operate throughout Flanders and the Brussels Region. In Leuven and the surrounding area, we come every Wednesday at no additional travel cost; on other days, there\u2019s a \u20ac150 fee per trip. Elsewhere outside Antwerp, we charge a travel surcharge ranging from \u20ac30 to \u20ac150, depending on the distance. You\u2019ll receive a fixed price upfront.<\/p>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7226490f e-con e-atomic-element e-div-block-base e-default-div e-783b03be-d9a7\" data-id=\"7226490f\" data-element_type=\"e-div-block\" data-e-type=\"e-div-block\" data-interaction-id=\"7226490f\">\n    \t\t\t<h2 data-interaction-id=\"5fded47c\" class=\"e-heading-base e-default-h2\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"5fded47c\">Is the apartment empty between tenants? We'll come pick it up<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"e-2392a211-308d e-paragraph-base e-default-span\" data-interaction-id=\"33ca0138\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"33ca0138\"><ul><li>Abandoned furniture, mattresses, boxes, and trash<\/li><li>The basement, the bike storage area, and the common areas as well<\/li><li>Fixed price upfront, based on photos<\/li><li>Invoice with VAT and a certificate of proper processing<\/li><\/ul><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/junkbrothers.be\/en\/quotation\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"e-5befb910-dcdf e-button-base e-default-a\" data-interaction-id=\"399d73bf\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"399d73bf\">\n\tRequest a free quote\n<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-paragraph-base e-default-p\" data-interaction-id=\"53aba18b\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"53aba18b\">Or send photos via <a href=\"https:\/\/wa.me\/32469635562\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WhatsApp<\/a> to +32 469 63 55 62.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Een student vertrekt en laat een matras, dozen en een fiets achter. Mag je dat zomaar wegdoen? Wat je als kotbaas mag, welke stappen je volgt en hoe je het kot snel weer verhuurt.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8359,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8346","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opruiming"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/junkbrothers.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8346","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/junkbrothers.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/junkbrothers.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/junkbrothers.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/junkbrothers.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8346"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/junkbrothers.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8346\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8444,"href":"https:\/\/junkbrothers.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8346\/revisions\/8444"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/junkbrothers.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8359"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/junkbrothers.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8346"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/junkbrothers.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8346"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/junkbrothers.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8346"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}