(a) If the rental agreement provides for notification to the landlord by the tenant of an anticipated extended absence as defined in this Code or in the rental agreement, and the tenant fails to comply with such requirement, the tenant shall indemnify the landlord for any harm resulting from such absence.
(b) The landlord may, during any extended absence of the tenant, enter the rental unit as is reasonably necessary for inspection, maintenance and safekeeping.
(c) Unless otherwise agreed to in the rental agreement, the tenant shall use the rental unit only as the tenant's abode. A violation of this covenant shall constitute the breach of a rule under § 5511 of this title, and shall entitle the landlord to proceed as specified elsewhere in this chapter.
(d) If the tenant wrongfully quits the rental unit and unequivocally indicates by words or deeds the tenant's intention not to resume tenancy, such action by the tenant shall entitle the landlord to proceed as specified elsewhere in this chapter and the tenant shall be liable for the lesser of the following for such abandonment:
(1) The entire rent due for the remainder of the term and expenses for actual damages caused by the tenant (other than normal wear and tear) which are incurred in preparing the rental unit for a new tenant; or
(2) All rent accrued during the period reasonably necessary to re-rent the premises at a fair rental; plus the difference between such fair rental and the rent agreed to in the prior rental agreement; plus expenses incurred to re-rent; repair damage caused by the tenant (beyond normal wear and tear); plus a reasonable commission, if incurred by the landlord for the re-renting of the premises. In any event, the landlord has a duty to mitigate damages.
(e) If there is no appeal from a judgment granting summary possession under subsection (c) or (d) of this section, the landlord may immediately remove and store, at the tenant's expense, any and all items left on the premises by the tenant. Seven days after the appeal period has expired, the property shall be deemed abandoned and may be disposed of by the landlord without further notice or liability.
Structure Delaware Code
Chapter 55. TENANT OBLIGATIONS AND LANDLORD REMEDIES
§ 5501. Tenant obligations; rent.
§ 5502. Landlord remedies for failure to pay rent.
§ 5503. Tenant obligations relating to rental unit; waste.
§ 5504. Defense to an action for waste.
§ 5505. Tenant's obligation relating to defective conditions.
§ 5506. Tenant obligation; notice of extended absence.
§ 5507. Landlord remedies for absence or abandonment.
§ 5508. Landlord remedies; restrictions on subleasing and assignments.
§ 5509. Tenant obligation to permit reasonable access.
§ 5510. Landlord remedy for unreasonable refusal to allow access.
§ 5511. Rules and regulations; tenant obligations.
§ 5512. Rules and regulations relating to certain buildings; landlord remedies.
§ 5513. Landlord remedies relating to breach of rules and covenants.
§ 5515. Landlord's remedies relating to holdover tenants.