Full question:
I bought some acreage in the county a year ago. The deed is free and clear. There are no leases or other liens on the property. The property had some unlocked sheds with junk items in them and some other pipes, batteries, tires, etc., lying about the yard. I removed some of this stuff I considered trash and now an individual is threatening to file theft charges for my disposing of these items. This individual is not the person I purchased the property from and has nothing to do with the property to my knowledge. I never heard of him until a few weeks ago. Are the items left on the property by someone else, having no lease or rental agreement, and not on the deed as a lien holder, unmentioned at all until his phone call last week, considered my property or someone else?
- Category: Abandoned Property
- Date:
- State: Texas
Answer:
According to Texas law, personal property is presumed abandoned if the owner cannot be located for more than three years and no claim to the property has been made. In your case, since you purchased the property free and clear and the items were left by someone else, they may be considered abandoned. If the previous owner or anyone else has not asserted a claim to those items, they could be treated as your property.
However, the individual threatening you may claim ownership, but without any lease, rental agreement, or lien, their claim may be weak. It’s advisable to document everything and consult with a legal professional to address this situation properly.
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.