Question of Landlords and Asylums (house, rent, school)

[Maxwell47]

Hello,

I own my own home and rented out a room to someone I knew. After having lived there for a few years, one day a bunch of men stormed into the house, put him in a straightjacket and took him out of the house. It has been 11 months now and I don't know if he is even still alive. Unfortunately, all of his things are still in the room he was using, including several original musical compositions worth several thousands of dollars. I spoke with a friend of mine who is an agent as to what I should do about this, and he told me that the landlord tenent acts say that I have to store his things for a certain amount of time. After that time, (shorter than 11 months) I can sell his things at a "public auction" (whatever that means) and that the proceeds beyond storage, overpaid rent, and other costs go back to him. But he said that was for normal cases of evicted tenants and I dont think this really qualifies. And how would I even get the proceeds back to him, especially post-mortem? What exactly are my responsibilites as far as his things are concerned? I shouldn't have to hold them indefinately, but I don't even know if he is alive anymore.

I don't really want to hold a "public auction" because I'm a schoolteacher professionally, not a landlord and I don't really have the time. CanI just donate his things to a charity? Can I write off anything donated as a tax deduction? Is there any point at which he forfeits the right to that property? How well does all of this have to be documented?

I really appreciate any help on this matter.

Thank you,
Maxwell