Vacated House - Was this legal?

**GeorgeB** · 09-21-2011, 09:51 PM

Take it from someone who does this, cleans out foreclosures all the time, and owns a re investment company.

Inside, or next to a dumpster, is free for the taking, but what your describing, it wasn't in or directly next too. Therefore, I would find out how might own the property. What might appear junk to you, might not be to the owners.

Neighbors like that, are always going to think what you do is illegal. Just ignore them,

**gustavus** · 09-21-2011, 10:27 PM

Seeking legal advice on a scrappers forum to make your conscience feel better, because you feel guilty performing your duty to society as a scrap man.

Your mincing a gray area, abandoned house, did you ever think that the vacated occupants may have left what your calling trash at the curb for the Salvation Army or Red Cross or other non profit to pick up.

There's to many holes in your story, abandoned house does not give you salvage rights, on the other hand you have neighbors from one streets over telling you your a thief then another telling you the trash has been there 3 years.

As a professional witness your a failure, I see much more of this type of trash on the scrapper forum I'm going to pull my membership.

**ixcelr84scraps** · 09-22-2011, 08:26 AM

Originally Posted by gustavus

As a professional witness your a failure, I see much more of this type of trash on the scrapper forum I'm going to pull my membership.

I see it everywhere, in everyday life, not just with scrappers and not only on this forum. Your posts are very helpful and I too am learning a great deal from reading your posts. I would also implore you to stay and help those that are honest and hard working. If not, good luck. BTW-As long as your living on this earth you will never find a perfect person, they don't exist. You may want to do a personal inventory

Just saying. Hugzzzzzz.

**KzScrapper** · 09-22-2011, 04:53 AM

Originally Posted by GeorgeB

Take it from someone who does this, cleans out foreclosures all the time, and owns a re investment company. Inside, or next to a dumpster, is free for the taking

Word of caution...laws differ from state to state and city to city best to know what applies where YOU are. However, common sense, integrity and upstanding character is universal.

**Junkernaut** · 09-22-2011, 06:38 AM

If its normally by where the trash is then what is the difference. The EPA if they saw that would fine the bank or owner 100X more than the junk is worth to you. The City if they saw this would fine the owner 100X more than what the junk is worth to you.

Do not ever let this scrap metal rot outside onto laws or anything. When rain water and weather do the deed to the equipment that BS gets in the drinking water. If its abandoned and no owner can be determined then take it you are doing everyone a favor..

My advice being followed is only contingent upon your story adding up to what you say is going down. If you have to break and enter obviously you are a thief. If its in a designated trash area...I mean come on who is laying claim to that? Salvation army aint gonna use a vacuum to solve world hunger broskies.

**GeorgeB** · 09-22-2011, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by KZBell

Word of caution...laws differ from state to state and city to city best to know what applies where YOU are. However, common sense, integrity and upstanding character is universal.

True, and you are correct, but seriously, if it is in the trash, or a dumpster, then it is free game.

People only cuss and complain because they THINK you are throwing trash into it. When I used to do it, I tell them that I scrap metal and other useful things that can still be used, and in fact I am taking out of the dumpster. A lot of people are always good with that, but you are correct. Just because VA is like this, doesnt mean say NC or anywhere else is.