Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Indiana

How do i remove property legaly

I had a roomate who has recently moved, and left mostly all of her belongings in my home. We had no written contract, I was simply doing her a favor. She left without notifying me, and contacted me via email to tell me that I must work around her and her parents scheduals in order for her to come get her things. I sent an email back stating that those scheduals were conflicting with my own, and she should contact me with particular dates that would be good for her, and she has yet to do so. Without knowing her current address, how can I dispose of her belongings without her being able to sue me? She is also residing in another state. (I have no idea how to get the adress to send a certified letter) I want her things gone, it has been almost a month since she has left them. How much time am I required to give her to get her belongings? If she is bringing more than one vehicle and has only one room full of things, is one day sufficent by law? That may be all of the time that I have.


Asked on 6/25/02, 7:22 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Mary Ann Wunder Wunder & Wunder

Re: How do i remove property legaly

Assuming you still have her e-mail address, tell her that you intend to put her items in storage unless she appears at a time on the day you say. I would recommend 10 days notice. Then you could rent a storage locker and if she appears for the property, she would have to pay the bill for it. Another option is to assert a storage lien on the property and tell her what it will cost her to get it back from you, then sue her in a small claims court and ask the judge for authority to sell the property to satisfy what she owes you for storing the belongings. If you think she left anything that would have a particular value (such as jewelry, furs or antiques), you should have it appraised first so there could be no dispute over whether you got more than what she owed you.

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Answered on 6/25/02, 9:27 pm


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