CanI be sued for property an old friend left at my house?
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CanI be sued for property an old friend left at my house?
She left a drawing she did herself, some clothes, and other misc. things. She is now trying to sue me for these things even though it’s been over 4 months since I contacted her and told her to come get her things. I no longer have them; I donated or threw away everything she left.
Asked on September 8, 2011 under Bankruptcy Law, Alabama
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Unfortunately, you can be sued by a former friend for property that she left at your house consisting of a drawing, clothes and other objects that you discarded. Whether she files a lawsuit for the loss of them and succeeds is an entirely different situation.
Hopefully you have written documents showing that you contacted your friend about the need for her to pick up her belongings or they would be discarded.
In most states in this country, where there is a landlord tenant situation, and the tenant vacates the rental leaving behind items, the landlord per statute sends a written notice to the former tenant advising of the need to pick up the items by a set date and if not the items will be auctioned off or discarded depending upon their value. Items with a value less than $300.00 or so normally can be discarded by the landlord after written notice to the former tenant.
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