Laws on Personal Property in Pennsylvania After Foreclosure

[Chad U.]

I recently acquired a property through foreclosure from owning the note/mortgage.  What are the laws on any personal property left on premises, in particular, an abandoned vehicle and a heavy-haul equipment trailer.  I don't believe this property has been occupied since at least 2013.  

[Chris K.]

@Chad U.

This can get complicated. For most personal properties, technically you may need to bring an ejectment action. Whether you want to do that will depend on your risk tolerance and the value of the property left behind. For example, it's one thing to find some old clothes. It's another thing to find a 5 karat diamond ring.  

There could be other issues that come up as well, but there are too many of them for me to discuss on BP at any length. 

When it comes to the vehicles, there is a specific process you need to follow. It's found somewhere in the Vehicle Code and PennDOT may have some more information on it. It's not the most complicated process, but essentially you need to get a court order to transfer the title to you. It's a bit cumbersome and will take some time. 

For both the vehicle and the trailer, check the VINs. You may, unfortunately, need to bring legal action to get rid of it. Because of the VINs, it gets a bit tricky to dispose of it due to the fact that you can track the ownership. 

Disclaimer: While I’m an attorney licensed to practice in PA, I’m not your attorney. What I wrote above does not create an attorney/client relationship between us. I wrote the above for informational purposes. Do not rely on it as legal advice. Always consult with your attorney before you rely on the above information.