WIBTA if I refused to give up a water fountain the previous homeowners abandoned 4 years ago?
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Water Fountain Drama: A Homeowner’s Dilemma
After moving into a poorly constructed home, a couple finds themselves in a standoff with the previous owner over a decorative water fountain left behind. Despite the owner’s sentimental attachment to the fountain as an anniversary gift, the couple argues that after four years of abandonment, it has become theirs. As they navigate home repairs and personal setbacks, the situation raises questions about ownership, responsibility, and the emotional ties to material possessions. This relatable tale highlights the challenges many homeowners face when dealing with past owners and the complexities of property rights.
Family Drama Over an Abandoned Water Fountain
In September 2021, a couple purchased a home built in 2019 and moved in immediately. The previous owners (PO) left behind a water fountain, which became the center of a family drama. Here’s a summary of the situation:
- Initial Agreement: Within the first month of moving in, the PO requested to collect the fountain. The couple agreed, but the PO never returned.
- Time Passed: Fast forward to March-April 2025, four years later, the fountain remained in the front yard. The couple had been busy organizing and designing their front garden, planning to incorporate the fountain into their design.
- Gardening Challenges: The couple faced several challenges in starting their garden:
- Settling into their new home during the first year.
- Learning about seasonal gardening, as they were from Florida and unfamiliar with the local climate.
- Dealing with significant repairs due to poor construction of the house, including a wall that needed complete reconstruction.
- Current Status: After finishing the exterior wall repairs, winter set in, delaying further gardening efforts. The couple planned to power wash and repair the fountain but were hindered by illness.
Recently, the PO contacted the couple’s husband, expressing a desire to reclaim the fountain as it was a gift for his wife on their 35th anniversary. He insisted on picking it up that weekend. The couple felt differently:
- Ownership Dispute: The couple informed the PO that they no longer wished to part with the fountain, citing that it had been on their property for four years and was considered abandoned.
- Legal Perspective: They argued that since the PO had not collected the fountain within a reasonable timeframe, it was no longer his property.
- Emotional Context: While they understood the sentimental value of the fountain, they felt the PO had neglected it for too long.
Additionally, the couple faced ongoing issues with the house itself, which was poorly constructed. They had to deal with:
- Missing roof edge pieces and uneven subfloors.
- Improper installation of siding and various other construction flaws.
- Frustration with the inspector who failed to catch these issues before the purchase.
- Financial constraints preventing them from moving, as they bought during a time of low interest rates.
In light of these circumstances, the couple is left wondering: AITA for not giving up the water fountain four years after the PO sold us a poorly built home?
This is Original story from Reddit
Image credit: Pixabay (This is example image – Not the actual photo)
Story
In September 2021, we purchased a home that was built in 2019. We moved in immediately. The previous owner’s PO left a few things at the home, including a water fountain.
Within the first month, the PO asked if they could collect the fountain. We said that was fine, but they never came. It’s now March-April of 2025, 4 years later, and it has been sitting in the front yard.
Over the last 2 years, I have been organizing, prepping, and designing my front garden where it will be incorporated into my design. I am an avid gardener and decided to redo the garden, but haven’t yet planted anything. It has taken me a while to actually get started for multiple reasons.
The first year we were settling in. The second year I had to learn about the seasons. I’m from Florida; we don’t have seasons, so I had to research native plants, best planting times, amongst other things.
The most important reason was that the house was built poorly, and we had to repair an entire wall that was in the main section of the garden. There is no point for me to plant when we will be doing construction work. After we finished the exterior part of the wall, winter started.
The roof still needs repairs, but I have access to the area now. I planned on power washing, repairing, and painting the water fountain this weekend, but I got COVID and again delayed. I dismantled the fountain and relocated it to various places to be worked on.
Suddenly, the PO messaged my husband stating he wants the water fountain back. It’s his 45th anniversary soon, and it was his wife’s 35th anniversary present. He stated he’ll be by this weekend to get it.
I told my husband to inform the PO that I’m no longer willing to part with it. The PO states it’s not mine to part with, and he’ll be by to pick it up. It has been on our property for 4 years.
It’s considered abandoned property after 30 days. We gave him the chance to pick it up, but he didn’t. We’re not a storage unit. What claim does he have to come get it?
I understand it was an anniversary gift, but clearly, he didn’t care enough to get it in the last 4 years. This house was brand new but terribly built by the PO. Everything that could be wrong is wrong.
The roof is missing edge pieces, the subfloor is uneven, causing the entire floor to be uneven with gaps in all the wood. The entire house needs new siding because they installed the Hardy Board incorrectly, and now it’s falling off.
There are 4 different colors and textures of caulk used in the backsplash of the kitchen, screws popping out of every single wall in the house, and the studs aren’t 16 on center. The list goes on and on. We literally have to rebuild the house from the bottom up.
Before you ask, yes, we had an inspector, but no, he didn’t catch these things. We’re also trapped in the house because we bought during the VID times, and the interest rates were very low. So, moving isn’t an option. Trust me, we would if we could.
So, AITA for not giving up the water fountain 4 years after he sold us a terribly built home?
View the Original Reddit Post Here
Summary of Reddit Comments
The top Reddit comments indicate a strong consensus that the original owner of the fountain has lost any claim to it due to the significant time elapsed since the property sale, with many users emphasizing that it qualifies as abandoned property. Users suggest taking legal precautions, such as documenting the situation and installing cameras, to prevent any potential theft or trespassing. Overall, the comments reflect a clear stance that the current owners are justified in keeping the fountain.
Verdict: NTA
Expert Advice for Resolving the Water Fountain Conflict
Conflicts over property can be emotionally charged, especially when sentimental value is involved. Here are some practical steps for both the current homeowners and the previous owners to consider in resolving this situation amicably.
For the Current Homeowners
- Document Everything: Keep a detailed record of all communications with the previous owners regarding the fountain. This includes dates, messages, and any agreements made.
- Research Abandonment Laws: Familiarize yourself with local laws regarding abandoned property. This can provide clarity on your legal standing and help you feel more confident in your position.
- Consider a Compromise: If the fountain holds significant sentimental value for the previous owners, consider discussing a potential compromise. This could involve allowing them to take the fountain but offering to replace it with a similar item or providing a small financial compensation.
- Communicate Openly: Reach out to the previous owners to express your understanding of their emotional attachment to the fountain. Acknowledge their feelings while firmly stating your position. This can help de-escalate tensions.
- Seek Legal Advice: If the situation escalates, consult with a legal professional who specializes in property disputes. They can provide guidance on your rights and options moving forward.
For the Previous Owners
- Reflect on the Situation: Understand that the fountain has been on the current homeowners’ property for four years. Acknowledge that this may complicate your claim to it.
- Communicate Your Sentiments: When reaching out to the current homeowners, express the emotional significance of the fountain to you and your wife. Sharing your story may foster empathy and understanding.
- Be Open to Negotiation: Consider the possibility of negotiating a solution that respects both parties’ feelings. This could involve discussing alternatives or even offering to help with the fountain’s restoration if it remains with the current owners.
- Seek Mediation: If direct communication proves challenging, consider involving a neutral third party to mediate the discussion. This can help facilitate a more productive conversation.
- Accept the Outcome: Be prepared for the possibility that the current homeowners may choose to keep the fountain. Accepting this outcome gracefully can help maintain a positive relationship moving forward.
Conclusion
Conflicts over property can be complex, but approaching the situation with empathy and a willingness to communicate can lead to a resolution that respects both parties’ feelings. By taking these practical steps, both the current homeowners and the previous owners can work towards a solution that honors the emotional significance of the fountain while also considering the realities of property ownership.
Join the Discussion
Image credit: Pixabay (This is example image – Not the actual photo)
What do you think? Would you have handled this differently?
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