a.bentonab
Expert
So I've been looking for a new living room set. I see the perfect set on Craigslist for a good price. I called the guy and he says that the furniture was from a renter he had who skipped out on his rent.
My father in law also rents his houses out and he's been in this situation before. I remember that he also had to jump through all kinds of hoops. Now granted, I don't know anything else about the Craigslist ad besides what I've listed. I don't know how long or if they've been in a storage facility or anything.
What obligations does the landlord have under these circumstances, and what do I need to do to cover my behind? Even if, lets say, I bought the furniture and it ends up he didn't follow some law, I would imagine I wouldn't be charged with anything. But I sure would be without living room furniture! I don't want to go there. So, what should I be asking for? To see a court order? make a copy of it? proof that the renter has been away for 90 days?
The Indiana Code that relates seems to be 32-31-4 but it is kind of confusing because all the language in it says "may" not "must." So the furniture is considered abandoned if a "reasonable person" thinks he isn't coming back for it. But then it says the owner "may" take the furniture to a court approved (the law stipulates it must be court approved) storage facility. But "may" the owner sell it? I'm confused. Please cite sources if you come up with a conclusion, as "A guy on the internet told me" usually isn't a good defense.
My father in law also rents his houses out and he's been in this situation before. I remember that he also had to jump through all kinds of hoops. Now granted, I don't know anything else about the Craigslist ad besides what I've listed. I don't know how long or if they've been in a storage facility or anything.
What obligations does the landlord have under these circumstances, and what do I need to do to cover my behind? Even if, lets say, I bought the furniture and it ends up he didn't follow some law, I would imagine I wouldn't be charged with anything. But I sure would be without living room furniture! I don't want to go there. So, what should I be asking for? To see a court order? make a copy of it? proof that the renter has been away for 90 days?
The Indiana Code that relates seems to be 32-31-4 but it is kind of confusing because all the language in it says "may" not "must." So the furniture is considered abandoned if a "reasonable person" thinks he isn't coming back for it. But then it says the owner "may" take the furniture to a court approved (the law stipulates it must be court approved) storage facility. But "may" the owner sell it? I'm confused. Please cite sources if you come up with a conclusion, as "A guy on the internet told me" usually isn't a good defense.