I Need Some Sound Advice

[johnb]

Hi, As some of you know I get by here in Cebu renting out apartments, I have a situation that I'm really not sure how to handle but its now time I feel to address the problem. going back some six years we had a local lady and her American fiancee staying in one of our apartments, he held a job in the USA so would visit when he could, his  fiancee remained in the apartment whilst he was away working, they staid with us for approximately 5 years before they decided to split up, he was in the USA when the split happened but they were in touch daily via Skype and emails. both are good people and things just didn't work out. when the lady left us and returned to her family she gave my wife a box to pass on to her now ex fiancee when he next arrived, the box contained among other things a laptop, digital camera and personal items, her Ex was informed that we had the box......... Its now been more than a year since she left, and my wife has heard that the lady now has a new partner, we have tried contacting her asking what to do with the box and contents, she says shes not interested and that it all belongs to her ex, her ex never visited us again and has never replied to my emails.

 

we cant keep this box forever, any ideas legally or morally what we should do?

 

Johnb

 

[Jollygoodfellow]

In my opinion since you have held onto it for a year, tried to contact the owner without success so sell, use, giveaway or what ever you want to do as its not your problem and no storage fees were paid to hold it.

 

:cheersty:

[Call me bubba]

humm?? maybe DEAR PAO has an answer for this?

or ask PINOYLAWYER.ORG ,

 

Otherwise keep a copy of your email that you sent her asking what to do w/the items.

have you tried to "GOOGLE" his name and address in the usa?

try sending a letter to him since the EMAILS route is not working.

since you have a business. have you asked the local Barangay "for their advice"?

[MikeB]

Ditto post #2. 

[Markham]

John, I would write to them both one last time stating that unless one or other makes arrangements for its collection within one month, the box and its contents will be disposed of to defray storage costs. That would overcome any legal difficulties should either contact you at some future date.

[OnMyWay]

John, I would write to them both one last time stating that unless one or other makes arrangements for its collection within one month, the box and its contents will be disposed of to defray storage costs. That would overcome any legal difficulties should either contact you at some future date.

 

On top of what Mark and the others said, check your original lease with them.  Many leases have clauses pertaining to belongings left behind.  If you had something like that, by this time you are probably within your legal rights to dispose of the items as you like, and you have also done your moral due diligence as well.  If you want to go a step further, donate the laptop and camera to a charity, school, or someone in need.

[Dave Hounddriver]

I was in a similar situation a few years back, (I mean I was given a laptop to hang on to until they came to get it)  and I just stuck the laptop in a closet.  Recently I threw it away as it is about 10 years old now and worthless.  Until now I have heard nothing from foreigner, or his gf, and I doubt I ever will.  They also know it is worth nothing for resell and they likely have better now.

[Medic Mike]

Hi, As some of you know I get by here in Cebu renting out apartments, I have a situation that I'm really not sure how to handle but its now time I feel to address the problem. going back some six years we had a local lady and her American fiancee staying in one of our apartments, he held a job in the USA so would visit when he could, his  fiancee remained in the apartment whilst he was away working, they staid with us for approximately 5 years before they decided to split up, he was in the USA when the split happened but they were in touch daily via Skype and emails. both are good people and things just didn't work out. when the lady left us and returned to her family she gave my wife a box to pass on to her now ex fiancee when he next arrived, the box contained among other things a laptop, digital camera and personal items, her Ex was informed that we had the box......... Its now been more than a year since she left, and my wife has heard that the lady now has a new partner, we have tried contacting her asking what to do with the box and contents, she says shes not interested and that it all belongs to her ex, her ex never visited us again and has never replied to my emails.

 

we cant keep this box forever, any ideas legally or morally what we should do?

 

Johnb

I can take it off your hands :)....The good people at the Cebu Childrens Shelter will have good use for it :)

[Jollygoodfellow]

John, I would write to them both one last time stating that unless one or other makes arrangements for its collection within one month, the box and its contents will be disposed of to defray storage costs. That would overcome any legal difficulties should either contact you at some future date.

 

Your probably correct but it has nothing to do with the ex now, its his belongings and she has not been with him for over a year. The OP states she already said she is not interested and I take that to be could not give a damn.

Anyway for all we know the guy may have been distraught after the end of the relationship, stepped in front of a speeding train which catapulted him onto the adjacent highway where he was barreled by a huge truck which sent him flying over the edge of a cliff where he rolled down to the bottom landing in a river, washed out to sea where he got caught up in a trawlers net taking him well off shore only to be eaten by a school of sharks. 

Life is tough. 

[cebu rocks]

After a year its yours  It has been abandoned . You have done the reasonable thing by trying to contact the owner .