Do abandoned vehicles left by previous owners become ours in Alberta?

Full question:

We bought a house in December our possession date was Dec. 18th (bought from some friends) we give them an extra. Month so till January 18th to have their things moved out, they moved everything out of the house but left a bunch of vehicles and a camper in the yard and it is now 5 months since our possession date and they have been contacted several times to get their vehicles but haven't so now do these vehicles legally become ours? Actually, in Alberta.

Answer:

In Alberta, the situation with abandoned vehicles is governed by specific laws. If the previous owners have left vehicles on your property and have not claimed them after a reasonable period, you may have rights to those vehicles.

Generally, if you have made multiple attempts to contact the previous owners and they have not responded, the vehicles could be considered abandoned. The law may allow you to take steps to acquire ownership of these vehicles after following proper procedures.

It is advisable to check with local regulations regarding the abandonment of vehicles on private property. You may need to notify the authorities and follow specific steps to document the abandonment and claim ownership. This often includes filing a report and possibly obtaining a transfer of ownership.

Consulting a legal professional familiar with Alberta's property and vehicle laws can provide you with the best course of action in your situation.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

In Alberta, the time frame to move out depends on your lease agreement or the notice given by your landlord. Typically, if you are on a month-to-month lease, you may need to provide at least one month's notice. If you have a fixed-term lease, you are generally required to stay until the end of the lease term unless otherwise agreed upon.