NSW What constitutes abandoned property?

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DavidSoutherland

Active Member
20 June 2017
9
0
31
My son-in-law set up a business in a shed on my property. The business failed for a number of reasons but mainly due to family breakup. He left all the specialist gear in the shed and has not answered requests as to his intentions for at least 8 months. He owes me money for electricity and rent (although the rent was a gentlemen’s agreement). He insists I only communicate through his solicitor who doesn’t respond to my requests. Removing the equipment will be labour intensive and expensive requiring a crane, truck, etc and I know he has nowhere suitable to store it. I have given him 14 days to respond to a demand to remove the equipment and then 28 days to actually remove it. He has not responded at all. I have heard through a mutual friend that he wants to cost me a lot through legal fees and I think he has no real desire for the equipment, as it is specialist gear that would have a limited market and second-hand value.

I want to use the shed for other purposes. What legal rights do I have as he has failed to either respond or to remove his equipment within the stated period?
 

Tripe

Well-Known Member
22 May 2017
229
14
619
Google tells me NSW has the

Uncollected Goods Act 1995, I suggest you take some time to read this.

I also found: if the goods are greater than $5000, court orders are needed.

It looks like you will need to get the courts involved.

Google is your friend,

I suspect you have done the right things so far, by issuing formal collection notices.