We have housed a piano for over 20yrs free of charge. Who now owns this -the original owner or us?

Question

The owner has made contact a couple of times to say he can't take it back during these 23yrs, but does now wants it back. Apart from the fact that he has never thanked us for keeping it for him, I would like to know where we stand out of interest. Can anyone help? Thank you

Answer 1

It is yours, possesion is nine tenths of the law thats good odds.

Answer 2

Unfortunately if you did not make a legal contract then you will not be abl to collect money for storage in most states. But any property left over 90 days is considered unwanted by original owner. You should have quit calling that piano someone elses about 22 and a half years ago.

Answer 3

Possession is 9/10 of the law. This is a matter of ethics. Unless you made another verbal agreement which included time tables and cost to store then you should let him take the piano back.

With that said, I do believe that this person took advantage of you. What if you had moved or completely lost contact over those 23 years? Regardless of the inconvenience he layed on you an agreement should have been made by you.

Answer 4

Did your brother do a walk by way of with the owner merely before shifting out? It feels like the vandalism happened after your brother moved out yet before the owner inspected the unit. What would have occurred if the unit have been vandalize collectively as your brother became nevertheless residing there? My element is the owner has coverage and it sounds like they are reckoning on your mom as that could be a swifter thank you to get the restoration money or for some reason they do no longer decide to tell their coverage organisation. the enormous 3 credit reporting companies do no longer settle for credit comments from landlords (i've got tried), yet do no longer rock the boat at the instant. proceed the wear and tear money until your mom closes on her new residing house, then end and tell the owner to take her to court docket. Albiet family contributors, there are witnesses to the difficulty of the unit while your brother vacated. realtor.sailor

Answer 5

You made the offer to store the piano at your place for free. You have been able to get use from the piano for all these years. Now he wants it back, and it is his. I believe if you try to keep it, he will sue you for it. I'm not a lawyer, but since you made the offer to store it, and you have had the benefit of it, as payment for storage, then he still retains ownership. If you disagree with this answer, then contact a lawyer and see what he has to say.

good luck

Answer 6

Hindsight is 20-20. An arrangement or agreement should have been made in writing 20+ years ago. If there is nothing anywhere in writing that the piano remained his property, it's yours. Tell him to buzz off. If it really puts up a stink and you can do without the piano, tell him the storage fee was $120 a year. If he doesn't like that, tell him to hire a lawyer.

Answer 7

No contract? No space rental agreement? It belongs to the owner. Your only recourse is to give him a date to remove the piano. Tell him and have it witnessed and in writing that, as of that date, if the piano is not removed, you will be charging a per diem storage fee. If the Piano is not removed by that time and he has been notified, you may remove the piano from your premises. BE SURE HE IS DULY NOTIFIED.
Always remember: No good deed goes unpunished.

Answer 8

posession is 9/10 ths of the law. Unless you had some sort of contract stating that you would give it back after all these years, you own the piano! However, be human about it huh! You got to use the piano all these years free of charge!

Answer 9

Regardless of who now owns it you need to communicate your desire to keep the piano to him if you want to keep your hold on it. He probably is only thinking about what he wants and the fact that at one time this piano was rightully his. This could explain why he is blind to rudeness of suddenly asking for it back after 20+ years. Tell him that before you would even consider giving it back he needs to at least thank you for storing it.

Answer 10

Unless you asked him to pay you when you agreed to let him store the piano with you, I don't think it is fair for you to claim you now own it, regardless of how many years have passed. Technically it was his then and it is his now, unless you have verbally agreed to something otherwise. The right thing to do is to let him have the piano. If he doens't say thank you, well, that is seriously bad manners, but at least you have done the right thing.

Answer 11

If he had made no attempt to take it in 20 years, I'd say that it is yours. Of course, it depends on what state you are in, as each state has different ownership of property laws. I guess it depends on what was said between the two parties during these conversations about him not being able to take it back.