Neighbor issue WWYD?

[china mom]

My tenants at my rental were evicted yesterday. The left a huge pile of stuff and we are required by law to remove it in front the house and leave it outside for either 24 or 48 hours (have to look it up) and notify the tenants to come get their stuff. We then have to take the remaining items to the dump - at our expense. We have a quote for $800 for junk removal.

Yesterday, after the eviction, there was a blackstone griddle a large children's playhouse and one of those little tyke cars plus unknown other stuff under the pile of furniture and things. The items were left on the driveway close to the house and we are "in the cut" which is country speak for off the beaten path. Only one neighbor would easily see the stuff and she also knew the eviction was coming.

This morning, the griddle, playhouse, car and who knows what other items are gone but the big pile is still there for us to deal with. My husband can see into the neighbors yard and she has the grill and playhouse. The trash pile has been strewn about and some is on our lawn.

Technically, removing property from an eviction pile is theft but in order to charge theft, we need a complaining victim (one of the tenants). They are gone and I do not know where they went. After the statutory waiting period, eviction property that is left on public property is considered abandoned but this pile was clearly on our curtilage and our property had to be trespassed upon to get it.

We were hoping that if the tenant did not come back for her stuff, that we would at least get a griddle out of it to offset the sting of the eviction expenses. I don't know which model the griddle was but they retail anywhere from $300-1300. The law states that we can sell tenants abandoned property to recover eviction expenses (but we were probably going to keep it).

Would you confront the neighbor? Threaten legal action? Let it go as it is not worth it?

 

[Marrila]

Confront? Threaten? Nope. I would move on. Life's too short.

 

[sam_gordon]

My tenants at my rental were evicted yesterday. The left a huge pile of stuff and we are required by law to remove it in front the house and leave it outside for either 24 or 48 hours (have to look it up) and notify the tenants to come get their stuff. We then have to take the remaining items to the dump - at our expense. We have a quote for $800 for junk removal.

Yesterday, after the eviction, there was a blackstone griddle a large children's playhouse and one of those little tyke cars plus unknown other stuff under the pile of furniture and things. The items were left on the driveway close to the house and we are "in the cut" which is country speak for off the beaten path. Only one neighbor would easily see the stuff and she also knew the eviction was coming.

This morning, the griddle, playhouse, car and who knows what other items are gone but the big pile is still there for us to deal with. My husband can see into the neighbors yard and she has the grill and playhouse. The trash pile has been strewn about and some is on our lawn.

Technically, removing property from an eviction pile is theft but in order to charge theft, we need a complaining victim (one of the tenants). They are gone and I do not know where they went. After the statutory waiting period, eviction property that is left on public property is considered abandoned but this pile was clearly on our curtilage and our property had to be trespassed upon to get it.

We were hoping that if the tenant did not come back for her stuff, that we would at least get a griddle out of it to offset the sting of the eviction expenses. I don't know which model the griddle was but they retail anywhere from $300-1300. The law states that we can sell tenants abandoned property to recover eviction expenses (but we were probably going to keep it).

Would you confront the neighbor? Threaten legal action? Let it go as it is not worth it?

I think it depends on your relationship with the neighbors. I would do one of two things... either talk to them, saying "hey, we have to legally leave things out for (whatever time), but we were planning on keeping the griddle to help offset some of the costs. Can you give us (pick a reasonable amount) or let us have the griddle back so we can sell it?" Or, let it go. I don't see how threatening legal action helps. Sure, you might get the griddle back, but what kind of relationship do you want after.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I would do nothing. My philosophy in situations like this is: "Never attribute to malice that which can be explained by ignorance." - So I would assume the neighbors thought the junk was all being thrown away, and that they were simply rescuing the items from the dump.

 

[china mom]

I think it depends on your relationship with the neighbors. I would do one of two things... either talk to them, saying "hey, we have to legally leave things out for (whatever time), but we were planning on keeping the griddle to help offset some of the costs. Can you give us (pick a reasonable amount) or let us have the griddle back so we can sell it?" Or, let it go. I don't see how threatening legal action helps. Sure, you might get the griddle back, but what kind of relationship do you want after.

Almost non existent. We used to hang out but 50% of the reason we moved away was to get away from that family. We remain FB friends but the only times she ever messages me is to complain about whichever lousy tenant is irritating her. We still live in the area but we are selling the rental house and once it is gone, we will have no reason to interact with her at all.

 

[sam_gordon]

Almost non existent. We used to hang out but 50% of the reason we moved away was to get away from that family. We remain FB friends but the only times she ever messages me is to complain about whichever lousy tenant is irritating her. We still live in the area but we are selling the rental house and once it is gone, we will have no reason to interact with her at all.

Then let it go. If the skillet retails for $300-1500 (seems like a REALLY wide range to me), I'd assume I *MIGHT* get $100 for a used one. Is it really worth the effort? Be Elsa.

 

[china mom]

Update: I sent her a message on FB saying she can't take the eviction stuff and that is has to sit out there for a set amount of time. I said bring back what you took and that we could see it in her yard.

She responded asking if there is a spec ail rule in our county because the state says that it is free game.

I responded that the first 24 hours, it is the tenant and then after that it is mine to sell to recoup my expenses. She responded with a thumbs up emoji so I guess she is bringing it back.

If she doesn't, I will let it go. If she does bring everything back, I will let her have the playhouse now that it has been 24 hours.

 

[Pink Partridge]

I would not be able to let it slide. There would be no confrontation, rather me calmly explaining why that pile was there and what your plans were for the items that were taken from your property.

We once were cleaning out our garage and sorting keep, throw, "maybes". Someone drove by WHILE WE WERE THERE, and started rummaging through one of the piles in our yard. We were firm, yet polite. And the stranger that was rooting through our items was not even embarrassed.

People are bold.

 

[china mom]

Then let it go. If the skillet retails for $300-1500 (seems like a REALLY wide range to me), I'd assume I *MIGHT* get $100 for a used one. Is it really worth the effort? Be Elsa.

I'm going by the blackstone website. I don't know which model griddle it is but I am guessing renters probably didn't leave a higher end one.

 

[sk!mom]

Friendly knock on the door- "Hey, I need the Blackstone and the playhouse back. If they don't come back for them, I need to sell them." Or if you don't think the play house is sellable, "I need the Blackstone back but you are welcome to keep the playhouse."

I doubt most people would even argue, more likely say something like, "Or sorry, I thought it was all being trashed." Which is very likely what they did think.

 

[Pink Partridge]

She responded asking if there is a spec ail rule in our county because the state says that it is free game.

The nerve.

 

[china mom]

I would not be able to let it slide. There would be no confrontation, rather me calmly explaining why that pile was there and what your plans were for the items that were taken from your property.

We once were cleaning out our garage and sorting keep, throw, "maybes". Someone drove by WHILE WE WERE THERE, and started rummaging through one of the piles in our yard. We were firm, yet polite. And the stranger that was rooting through our items was not even embarrassed.

People are bold.

That's funny. I forgot about when that happened to me. We hauled all of Mom's stuff out and were going to leave it for trash pick-up but people showed up and started rummaging - while we ere still carrying things. Didn't ask, just started helping themselves. I shooed them away out of annoyance even though w ere getting rid of all of it.

 

[Pink Partridge]

That's funny. I forgot about when that happened to me. We hauled all of Mom's stuff out and were going to leave it for trash pick-up but people showed up and started rummaging - while we ere still carrying things. Didn't ask, just started helping themselves. I shooed them away out of annoyance even though w ere getting rid of all of it.

I would like to say I am surprised, but I am not. Our items were nowhere near the curb. People literally walked onto our side lawn.

 

[robinb]

Update: I sent her a message on FB saying she can't take the eviction stuff and that is has to sit out there for a set amount of time. I said bring back what you took and that we could see it in her yard.

She responded asking if there is a spec ail rule in our county because the state says that it is free game.

I responded that the first 24 hours, it is the tenant and then after that it is mine to sell to recoup my expenses. She responded with a thumbs up emoji so I guess she is bringing it back.

If she doesn't, I will let it go. If she does bring everything back, I will let her have the playhouse now that it has been 24 hours.

There's a special rule that allows her to go on your property, dig through the stuff, help herself to what she wants and make a mess in the process? I was originally on the side of being like Elsa, but now I'm glad that you confronted her. She's so cheeky!

 

[china mom]

There's a special rule that allows her to go on your property, dig through the stuff, help herself to what she wants and make a mess in the process? I was originally on the side of being like Elsa, but now I'm glad that you confronted her. She's so cheeky!

The state eviction law says I have to leave their stuff on the public right of way and that I am responsible for removing it from the public right of say after the time allotted (varies by county) And the Attorney General does state that the tenant is responsible for the security, not the landlord. But my movers left it right in front of my garage, and we have a 50 foot driveway. So she actually would have been ight to take it if it had it been at the street. But coming onto my property and then tossing the pile and not putting it back in a pile was a bit much.

DH went over to mow and was ticked he had to touch their stuff, including a mattress, to get the lawn mowed. Is it wrong that I am hoping for the worst possible buyers to be her new neighbor?

 

[LuvOrlando]

Yes, you are right but if you want to sell this person can cause you some serious trouble and if you are already on iffy ground I would avoid at all costs.

Did you happen to take photos of the stuff in the pile? At this, point really your neighbor could always just say the old residents gifted it all to her or asked her to take it from the street and so for that reason I would not engage in any way.

I suppose to my way of thinking the real question is if the grill worth creating serious long term problems many times more expensive (lawyers and time) than the used stuff? To me that would be a big resounding no.

 

[neverlandsky]

This is a let it go situation and let karma do its thing.

 

[VandVsmama]

My tenants at my rental were evicted yesterday. The left a huge pile of stuff and we are required by law to remove it in front the house and leave it outside for either 24 or 48 hours (have to look it up) and notify the tenants to come get their stuff. We then have to take the remaining items to the dump - at our expense. We have a quote for $800 for junk removal.

Yesterday, after the eviction, there was a blackstone griddle a large children's playhouse and one of those little tyke cars plus unknown other stuff under the pile of furniture and things. The items were left on the driveway close to the house and we are "in the cut" which is country speak for off the beaten path. Only one neighbor would easily see the stuff and she also knew the eviction was coming.

This morning, the griddle, playhouse, car and who knows what other items are gone but the big pile is still there for us to deal with. My husband can see into the neighbors yard and she has the grill and playhouse. The trash pile has been strewn about and some is on our lawn.

Technically, removing property from an eviction pile is theft but in order to charge theft, we need a complaining victim (one of the tenants). They are gone and I do not know where they went. After the statutory waiting period, eviction property that is left on public property is considered abandoned but this pile was clearly on our curtilage and our property had to be trespassed upon to get it.

We were hoping that if the tenant did not come back for her stuff, that we would at least get a griddle out of it to offset the sting of the eviction expenses. I don't know which model the griddle was but they retail anywhere from $300-1300. The law states that we can sell tenants abandoned property to recover eviction expenses (but we were probably going to keep it).

Would you confront the neighbor? Threaten legal action? Let it go as it is not worth it?

Be like Elsa and let it go.

 

[VandVsmama]

Almost non existent. We used to hang out but 50% of the reason we moved away was to get away from that family. We remain FB friends but the only times she ever messages me is to complain about whichever lousy tenant is irritating her. We still live in the area but we are selling the rental house and once it is gone, we will have no reason to interact with her at all.

All the more reason to not confront the neighbor about the stuff. Consider it a business expense of being a landlord. Use some of the proceeds of selling the rental house to buy your own brand new griddle.

 

[tvguy]

Strange law that says the stuff has to be "left out". I understand the law expects landlords to keep items for a certain length of time, but I would assume the landlord needs to store it in a secure place. But your laws may be different.