What to do about abandoned tools left on my back patio by an unlicensed contractor?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
What to do about abandoned tools left on my back patio by an unlicensed contractor?
Tools include: a welder, hand held propane tanks, multiple table saws and a tile saw, air compressor and multiple buckets of hand tools. These tools are not what one would use for a planting project or privacy fence lattice work that I had spoken to with this unlicensed person. I have heard from this person approximately every 6 to 8 weeks when he tells me, “I’m working out of town and I’ll be around soon”. I have yet to know when he may come for his tools. I fear they are stolen and I am keeping stolen goods at my house. When are these tools considered my property and I can dispose of them?
Asked on September 4, 2011 under Real Estate Law, California
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
If you are concerned that the tools that have been left at your proeprty by your unlicensed contractor who has yet to pick them up after requests by you to do so, you should immediately contact law enforcement about your suspicions a have them come by your home to hopefully impound the items and take them to police headquarters for safekeeping pending an investigation as to the items impounded.
By doing this, you have the items taken away from your property and no longer have the worry as to their legal or illegal status. Once the tools are in the possession of law enforcement, any liability that you may have as to their presence on your property ends.
Good luck.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.