The landlord's right to distraint of goods carried off by the tenant is valid for how long after removal?

• A. 7 days
• B. 14 days
• C. 30 days
• D. 60 days

Answer: (C)

Distraint is a landlord’s remedy to seize a tenant’s goods to secure unpaid rent. When goods are carried off by the tenant, the law still allows the landlord to distrain those items, but only for a limited period. The period is thirty days after the removal. This finite window balances the landlord’s need to recover amounts owed with the tenant’s right to not have belongings indefinitely held or seized. After thirty days, the right to distraint for goods carried off has expired, so the landlord can no longer seize those items for the rent due.