Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Massachusetts

Someone has been storing their boat and trailer on my property. I have a simple agreement with him to pay me $75 a month for the space. He paid for the first year but then stopped paying his rental fee. It has been 3 more years and he has disappeared and his contact information is no longer available. How can I gain legal ownership of the boat and trailer. They are not worth much but I would like them removed from my property. I have been told that I am responsible if anything happens to them. I'd appreciate any help. Thanks


Asked on 7/17/14, 11:58 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

If you have a storage agreement with him, you can sue for the back rent and seek attachment of the property by suing in small claims court.

If the agreement was a good storage/bailment agreement, you could send a notice and then auction or sell the boat off.

Without seeing the agreement it is hard to give advice except sue him for the 3 years rent and seek attachment of the boat and trailer.

Inform the court you have tried to find him, I suggest you do so using some entity that searches for people. If you do find him, send him a certiied letter demanding the payment or title to the boat and trailer.

Good luck

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Answered on 7/17/14, 12:21 pm


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