Boarder moved out.. but left his stuff

[Rathji]

This guy from school was living temporarily with me for a couple months earlier in the term and we knew he was going to move out when his permanant situation was set up. Now he decided 2 weeks before he was going to move out that he was never going to come back. He never said a word to us about it and now I hear through the grapevine that he has dropped out of his classes this semester.

My question is this: He left his stuff at my house. Some clothes, his computer and his PS3. At what point in time can I just say I am sick of his stuff in my house and just get rid of it? I don't want to screw the guy over but I was doing him a favor by giving him a place to live and now I have no way of contacting him to know what his plans are.

Opinions?

[FanIn80]

Dibs on the PS3 imo.

As for the rest, I think the statute is 90 days? (Don't quote me on that however. It's been a while since I've had to read up on this stuff.)

[Ozy_Flame]

You're sick of his PS3?

If he doesn't claim it in a week, I say plant your flag on his stuff =)

[SeeGeeWhy]

Sweep the hard drive for questionable material before you sell it.

[Locke]

Deny his very existence and claim his stuff.

A word to the wise though, wait until the cover of darkness to move the body out of the deep freeze. Once they're frozen they're incredibly awkward and the neighbors may ask questions.

[ken0042]

Not sure on the exact law, but be sure what you do is reasonable.

For example, I would imagine you have his cell number. Be sure to text him (save the copy) asking when he is going to come claim his stuff. I would also send him a letter to his permanant residence (ie- parents) asking the same. Then if no answer, send him a registered letter saying he has 15 days or something to get everything.

Where you can get into trouble is if you don't take reasonable steps to get his stuff to him.

[vicphoenix13]

Hold a garage sale or pawn the items.

[troutman]

http://www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/...ds_Tenants.cfm

http://www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/1022.cfm#anchor5

What if a tenant leaves belongings behind?

Sometimes a tenant moves out or abandons the premises, but leaves belongings behind. A landlord has the immediate right to dispose of the goods if the landlord believes they are worth less than $2000, or if the value of the goods will depreciate substantially in storage (e.g. the goods will spoil). If the goods are worth $2,000 or more, the landlord must store them for 30 days.

A tenant can reclaim their possessions by paying the landlord for the moving and storage costs. Once the tenant has paid these costs, the landlord must then return the tenant’s possessions. If the tenant does not claim the goods within 30 days, the landlord can sell the goods by public auction or by private sale with the approval of the court. The landlord can use the money from the sale of the goods to pay the costs for transporting, storing and selling the goods. The landlord can also keep any money that the tenant owed for rent or damaged property. If there is money left after those payments, the surplus is held by the provincial Minister responsible for the RTA.

Landlords must keep a record of the storage and disposition or sale of goods for at least three years.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by vicphoenix13

Hold a garage sale or pawn the items.

Stage a break-in where only his stuff was taken.

[CaptainCrunch]

Under the Finders Keepers Losers Weepers law of 1867 they're your items now. However under the ammended law of he who smelled it dealt it you might find yourself on shakey grounds.

However under the Supreme court 2 to 1 decision, you can establish your ownership of these items if he returns by licking each item then staring at the claimant in a belligerant fashion.

[HOOT]

Personally I would hold on to it for 30 days past the 2 weeks he was suppose to be out. After that it's yours, you can only be so nice.

[rubecube]

In my experience, this means the CPS has the right to illegally enter your property.

EDITED TO ADD: Dirty pigs.

Originally Posted by troutman

http://www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/...ds_Tenants.cfm

http://www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/1022.cfm#anchor5

What if a tenant leaves belongings behind?

Sometimes a tenant moves out or abandons the premises, but leaves belongings behind. A landlord has the immediate right to dispose of the goods if the landlord believes they are worth less than $2000, or if the value of the goods will depreciate substantially in storage (e.g. the goods will spoil). If the goods are worth $2,000 or more, the landlord must store them for 30 days.

A tenant can reclaim their possessions by paying the landlord for the moving and storage costs. Once the tenant has paid these costs, the landlord must then return the tenant’s possessions. If the tenant does not claim the goods within 30 days, the landlord can sell the goods by public auction or by private sale with the approval of the court. The landlord can use the money from the sale of the goods to pay the costs for transporting, storing and selling the goods. The landlord can also keep any money that the tenant owed for rent or damaged property. If there is money left after those payments, the surplus is held by the provincial Minister responsible for the RTA.

Landlords must keep a record of the storage and disposition or sale of goods for at least three years.

Good post, but, depending on the living situation, I would suggest that this doesn't fall under the Residential Tendancies Act. However, even if it doesn't it might be a good idea to at least follow it even if you don't have to.

I would make every attempt to contact the guy and hold it for a sufficient period. Document what you did then either keep it or sell it.

Originally Posted by rubecube

In my experience, this means the CPS has the right to illegally enter your property.

EDITED TO ADD: Dirty pigs.

What?

[photon]

Yeah it probably isn't the strictest landlord/tenant situation, but given the arrangements that's probably the safest way to treat it.

We had a similar situation, I wasn't aware of the $2000 limit at the time. When I found out about it I was very glad since I didn't have to store the deadbeat's stuff, just donated it all to charity.

[Joborule]

Hey rathji, did you happen to be in the comp sci lab around 11 to noon time?

[stang]

I am also stakign a claim on the PS3... if the above posters back out.

as for the rest of it...
http://forum.calgarypuck.com/forumdisplay.php?f=21

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I would imagine you have his cell number

Thats the biggest problem, I have no way to contact him. No idea about his parents address. He has no home phone number and no cell phone. I did manage to speak to a closer friend of his today at school and he said the only way to contact him is on WoW.

I really have no desire to take his stuff. I have my Wii and no time to play it, so a PS3 is really useless to me other than wanting to try out Little Big World. with it

I am planning on being patient, but the wife is pressing me to deal with it and I plan to, but I wanted to get some opinions about what is fair (and legal).

Hey rathji, did you happen to be in the comp sci lab around 11 to noon time?

I was finishing up my Database project running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to submit a copy that would run on the lab machines.

Why do you ask?

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by Rathji

I was finishing up my Database project running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to submit a copy that would run on the lab machines.

Why do you ask?

I saw you today since I overheard your conversation that you had with another. I was the black guy sitting around there workin on comp sci assignment that's one day late already.

[Rathji]

You were sitting in the laptop area on the end? Yeah I remember you. When we get outsiders in the laptop area our sensors go all haywire and we go to defcon 4.

Yeah that was the conversation that prompted me to post here and get some opinions.

IIRC you are first year? You were working on that Reversi thing in Python?