Question re Massachusetts Law (rental, attorney, house)

[brightdoglover]

Does anyone know how long you must keep another person's belongings if they are out of contact and have made no mention of being in touch or coming for the belongings?

In my case, it's a driveshaft and carseats for a 1972 Dodge Challenger in my basement since 2001, no contact or returned calls from the owner since 2010. I was moving and had the house cleaned out, including the car parts. Suddenly the owner surfaces and says I should give him my $5k wood stove because the parts were valuable. I think he's a bit unstable and is an angry jerk who used to be a good friend and neighbor.

Thanks for any advice you might muster.

[MikePRU]

Here's a page describing what needs to get done if a tenant leaves property behind at a rental unit. I'm not an attorney by a long shot, but I would imagine the requirements are similar if someone leaves their personal property at your house.

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclope...achusetts.html

[BostonMike7]

$5k is a stretch in value for those parts. An original driveshaft might be $150 and the seats will vary on their condition. If they were trashed, they might be worth a few hundred in parts.

[GeoffD]

So he left trash in your basement for a decade+, did not remove it when you repeatedly requested he do so, and you disposed of it. Worst case, the guy takes you to small claims court and loses.

[brightdoglover]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

So he left trash in your basement for a decade+, did not remove it when you repeatedly requested he do so, and you disposed of it. Worst case, the guy takes you to small claims court and loses.

I think that's what he has in mind, although he says the parts were worth at least $5k. I am more concerned that he is a little loosely wrapped, angry, and might do some vandalism or even arson. It's too bad- we were friends and neighbors for years and he used to be a nice guy and a good builder. Something went awry around 2010 and he is now none of the above.

Thanks to all for your answers.

[Cape Cod Todd]

If he is demanding $5000 then I think you should be able to demand $5001 for 17 years of storage plus a disposal fee for the unclaimed goods.

[CaseyB]

This is abandonment of property on his part. He obviously heard you had moved and figured he could get money from you.
Ignore him.

[redplum33]

Originally Posted by CaseyB

This is abandonment of property on his part. He obviously heard you had moved and figured he could get money from you.
Ignore him.

Originally Posted by brightdoglover

I am more concerned that he is a little loosely wrapped, angry, and might do some vandalism or even arson.

This may not be so easy to ignore.

[brightdoglover]

I certainly can't pay him off if he's that crazy. He's so passive aggressive that I doubt he'd do anything that dumb. He does think I should give him my $5k soapstone wood stove, and I told him he could get one the same way I did- go down to the fireplace store and buy one for $5k. The stove weighs 500 pounds. I doubt he'll steal it.

I did have to pay to have the stuff removed (along with my own trash) and there was a disposal fee for all the trash.

I am going to forget the whole thing and accept that my realtor has dealt with him and not worry. She's having the locks changed tomorrow, since he always had a key as a neighbor and formerly good friend. Anyway, locks should be changed with new ownership. Over the 17 years I had the house, I certainly gave keys to visitors or a temporary housemate, etc.

Thank you all for your answers.

[CaseyB]

Originally Posted by brightdoglover

I certainly can't pay him off if he's that crazy. He's so passive aggressive that I doubt he'd do anything that dumb. He does think I should give him my $5k soapstone wood stove, and I told him he could get one the same way I did- go down to the fireplace store and buy one for $5k. The stove weighs 500 pounds. I doubt he'll steal it.

I did have to pay to have the stuff removed (along with my own trash) and there was a disposal fee for all the trash.

I am going to forget the whole thing and accept that my realtor has dealt with him and not worry. She's having the locks changed tomorrow, since he always had a key as a neighbor and formerly good friend. Anyway, locks should be changed with new ownership. Over the 17 years I had the house, I certainly gave keys to visitors or a temporary housemate, etc.

Thank you all for your answers.

Don't worry about it and just enjoy your new life in Colorado. I assume the house is still insured and if he tries anything it would be covered anyway.