To any Legal Eagles out there, can you tell me if it is unlawful for someone to dispose of your belongings, without notifying you first that they intend to do this,,,.
2006-11-06 04:55:07 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Not as straight forward as people think.
The person should make 'reasonable' efforts to make contact with you (letter or phone call to last known address) and should hold onto your items for a 'reasonable' time (maybe 30 days).
After that, NO they can dispose of your items as they see fit.
But it can be up to a Judge to decide whether the person acted reasonably and in good faith or out of malice.
2006-11-06 14:01:14 · answer #1 · answered by Jack 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the situation.
Certain storage places, when you sign a contract, have it state that if you don't pay, or don't vacate the storage facility by a certain time, they can do what they please with it. Most will auction off the decent stuff, and throw away what they won't get any money for.
Even when you rent a home, apartment, condo or whatever, if you vacate the premise and leave behind items, the Law might consider this abandonment and the owner may do what they please with it.
If it's a distraught lover, spouse, or roommate, then it would be against the Law. If you give more details of what was thrown out, from where, and why, we might be able to give better advice on whether to seek compensatory damages or to just try and let it go.
2006-11-06 13:04:02 · answer #2 · answered by Kevin J 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
With more information, such as location (city, state), type of property (car, house, clothes) and when it was disposed of, then one could estimate. In some jurisdictions, such as NYC, a landlord can only get rid of property after meeting certain qualifications and a due diligent search for the owners. Your state and local laws may differ.
2006-11-06 13:06:38 · answer #3 · answered by Damien104 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If someone is in possession of you belongings, like in a rented house,the landlord (property owner) is obligated to keep them for a reasonable time, before disposing of them. A 6 month period after you left the dwelling would be considered reasonalbe time, and they can then put them out as abandoned property.
2006-11-06 14:57:24 · answer #4 · answered by WC 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There are many cases where it would be.
You did not give any details, where they left in an apartment that you moved out of.
Where they left at a "speical fiends" house
Where they left at a storage locker at the air port.
2006-11-06 12:58:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Not enough details to be able to answer this question correctly. Was it a friend? A commercial storage facility? No way to answer without more info.
2006-11-06 12:58:35 · answer #6 · answered by Rich B 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not a "legal eagle" but this sounds a lot like theft and if it isn't illegal it should be!
2006-11-06 13:03:06 · answer #7 · answered by Ms Fabulosity 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I did and nothing was done about it, she left her belongings in my house and I dumped them and she could do nothing about it.
2006-11-06 16:09:10 · answer #8 · answered by Ivan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not enough circumstances to tell. If you abandoned your property, then they acted legally. If they just stole your stuff and got rid of it, then they are guilty of theft.
2006-11-06 12:59:19 · answer #9 · answered by Chris J 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yes, to permanently deprive someone of their property is theft. disposal could also be classed as criminal damage
2006-11-06 12:57:17 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋