Figuratively speaking, of course. Well it is actually raining a bit here today but more of a drizzle than “falling a flood” as we like to say in the South.
We are having a housewarming party August 4th and have invited the family that used to own this house along with a bunch of our neighbors who we don’t really know…and of course our friends, family and coworkers. Today we got an email from the daughter of the previous owner who said she would be attending the party…and she wanted to pick up her “mirror and cabinet” while she is here. What?!
When we bought this house, there were many pieces of furniture scattered around which all were part of the deal. Some of them need a lot more work than others but all the materials needs to refinish the furniture are also here, including every color of stain imaginable so it could be fun. I have refinished some furniture as a teenager and always found it fun…and we will eventually have just the right space for it and perhaps one day have the time too!
Everything in the house belonged to us as far as we knew…and now we’re being informed that is not really the case? But how can that be?
So this could end up to be a very interesting party. I would actually find great amusement in her showing up and trying to forcefully take items from our home…while 40 of our close friends and family watch – and probably take action to defend our possessions. What really intrigues me is why someone would think a housewarming party is a good time to come and collect something like this? Everyone is going to be wandering around and having fun and she’ll show up with a truck and ask where her stuff is so she can move it through and around everyone? Strange. And why is this coming up now? She’s known where we lived, she has our contact information – so why didn’t she inform us before that she thought there were still items in the house belonged to her??
Looks like we might be in for a rumble…
Now this seems really weird to me… Although not being a lawyer, I really cannot possibly think of ONE reason why a previous owner and his relatives should be allowed to get back and claim ownership of things in and around your house! Unless you have a written or oral agreement with them but there doesn’t exist such a thing, does it?
The previous owner of our house left a few things here, too. We set her a time limit of two weeks to come and fetch it, otherwise we’d dispose of the stuff. It all worked out well, although it surely wasn’t a watertight agreement.
Maybe you should try to get some legal advice before August 4th, just to be prepared?
Hi Anna,
You’re probably right that contacting an attorney isn’t a terrible idea…at least we have legal insurance but I really hope it doesn’t come to that. They mentioned before we had the closing that they would come in and take some things and they clearly did since they also took other items which I’d hope would become ours but we’re pretty surprised now…and especially since so much time has passed. I mean if this was right after the closing I might understand the confusion but after so much time? Just maddening!
Thanks for your input!!