Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Iowa

We have been paying the back taxes on a garage next to our property for the last three years. We are wondering what to do with the stuff in the garage when we get the deed from the court house. There are a lot of old cars and things that might be of some value. We have sent the owner a certified letter and it was returned to us because he did not pick it up from the post office. Thanks for your help!! Boone,IA 50036


Asked on 9/06/10, 9:37 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Luedeman solo practitioner

The problem you've got is that the property does not belong to you. In addition the code sections that deal with abandoned motor vehicles and abandoned personal property do not seem to fit the bill here. You have a couple of avenues-you can advise this person by certified mail that from a date certain you will treat the property as an involuntary bailment and have it hauled away or auctioned and you will hold the proceeds for him minus reasonable storage fees, or you can rent a storage unit for one month, put the stuff in it, send him the key and tell him it's his problem. Perhaps you can check with a local auctioneer and see what they have to say about the matter.

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Answered on 9/11/10, 10:07 pm


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