Real Estate Investor · La Fayette, NY · Member since 2017 · 110 posts · 27 votes
Hi. Bought a house 28 days ago, closing on it in 4 days. It was owned by Chase who took it in March. The owner is apparently not living there anymore and has moved most of their stuff out but left behind alot in terms of furniture, kids playroom stuff, tools, snowblower. I pass the house all the time and there has been no car there, no lights (power off I believe and water). the only sign I've seen was the trash can put out once and that was 3 weeks ago and sat there for 2 weeks till I pulled it in.
Being in NY, what are the rules once we close on it? Do I have to physically pack it up and store it at a rental place? Can I just put it all in the garage and send him a notice to p/u within an allotted time? I've tried contacting him a few different way when we bought it but no response. (wife had worked with him 5 years ago so kind of know who he was)
My plan was; after closing that day, to access the house (drilling out lock if needed) and assess what we need to do (which seems very little). and change the locks plus throw in a security alarm.
Hi @Edward R., I'm not a lawyer, but I'm pretty sure that once you take ownership the contents are yours as well. Especially, since he has vacated the property.
That being said, NY is a very tenant-friendly state, so it's probably a good idea to pay a few hundred bucks and get an actual attorney to weigh in.
If the bank was the previous owner I don't see any issues with contents inside. They sold you with the contents aka REO price included the contents.. All yours. :-))
I'll find out more today once we discuss it with the real estate attorney to get his take. Of course we aren't looking to take his stuff, but we do want to secure the property as ours (it'll be a flip in 2 months) previous owner seems to be a good guy (medical professional, small business) albeit the whole scenario giving up the house is weird and I don't want to invite weirdness back into the house. Imagine if he got in there and decided to say "Yep, I'm living here now evict me"
well we are in possession of it. we resecured the home and process of contacting the previous owner for his leftover things. Bathroom definitely needs a remodel. We will not be allowing previous to enter due to the mess of stuff left behind (like an afterFrat party). definitely a bizarre situation.