|
Tommy rents a room from a Johnny. He furnishes the room, but one day has to move. For whatever reason, he's not able to bring his furniture with him, and leaves it all behind.
Johnny doesn't mind this, as it basically means he has a furnished bedroom to offer to guests when they come by.
A couple months pass.
One day Billy asks Johnny if he can rent the room. Billy and Johnny agree to terms, and Billy moves in to Johnny's furnished guest room.
A couple more months pass.
Tommy comes to visit, and hangs out with Billy, Billy's brother (who is also in town), and Johnny for a few days. While he's in town, he talks to Billy's brother about selling his furniture to Billy. The brother seems agreeable to the prospect of Billy buying the furniture, but the subject is never actually brought up with Billy. Tommy leaves thinking he has sold his old stuff.
A couple more months pass.
One day Tommy contacts Billy, claiming that Billy owes him money for the furniture. Billy disagrees. Tommy claims that it isn't fair that Billy has been using his furniture for all this time, but Billy argues that the subject should have been broached when he moved in, and if not then, then certainly when Tommy was in town.
Tommy gets mad and claims that if Billy won't pay up, then Billy's brother should. Billy still disagrees.
Angrily, Tommy says "then you're not allowed to use my furniture anymore".
Billy says "You're welcome to come get it any time."
Tommy counters "It's my furniture and you can't use it. I'm never going to come get it, but if you don't pay me for it, you're not allowed to use it."
Is one side right or wrong?
Should Billy have to pay Tommy?
Does Johnny have a responsibility to either side?
What would you do if you were in either Billy's or Tommy's shoes?
Discuss!
|
So is Mr Bitter Billy... or Tommy...
|
On February 11 2012 12:08 mizU wrote: So is Mr Bitter Billy... or Tommy...
Johnny, of course.
|
If Tommy leaves it for more than 28 days after being informed, it's unsolicited goods, and becomes Billy's to do whatever he wants with (bin it)!
|
The furniture belongs to Johnny. I think this pretty much solves it? The furniture has essentially been in free storage in Johnny's place for however long its been. Tommy forfeited his right to the furniture a long time ago, especially if he and Johnny didn't have some kind of agreement. I'm pretty sure you could get a lawyer to argue the same thing.
|
Tommy left the furniture behind and isn't paying for storage or mentioned anything about it to Johnny when he left. So the furniture now belongs to Johnny.
|
United States24343 Posts
Yeah as far as I can tell, Johnny got the furniture from Tommy. Tommy isn't entitled to anything. I don't think this makes the furniture Billy's but I guess you don't really care as long as this is resolved.
My apartment is unfurnished but there is a leftover kitchen table and some chairs here I'm using. When I move out I'll leave them behind.
|
Too be honest, I had a hard time following who did what. Too many generic names >.<
|
I dont get the last bit when tommy says "u cant use my stuff" if he isnt going to collect it back, how is he gonna stop u from using it
|
Billy is right, and Tommy should go get his furnitures if he wants them, if not, then, when Johny moves out, either Tommy comes and pick them, or Johny throws them away. But for the time being, Billy can use them. Kthnx billystayez
|
Lol this is quite a situation that either you or someone you know is in. Personally i feel like Tommy used Johnnny as a storage unit first of all. Then He tries to push a sale without actually talking to the consumer directly. There was never an agreement in the first place yet he still is trying to force it on him. Billy If i was in billy's shoes i would tell tommy that he is fucked in the head and then throw his furniture out on the curb ,
I would also disconnect myself from tommy completely as it seems like this person doesn't understand business, relationships or even consideration for others. This person doesn't really understand boundaries it seems. Get away asap.
|
United States996 Posts
billy certainly owes tommy nothing.
the rest of what matters is the agreement that johnny and tommy had when he decided to leave his furniture there (i cant take it its yours, i cant take it but i'll be back at an undisclosed time to pick it up, or just said absolutely nothing). from there it matters if johnny disclosed their [tommy and johnnys understanding of the furniture debacle] with billy. if johnny didnt disclose the arrangement to billy, johnny should end up owing billy whatever losses he incurs [cost of renting the same furniture or whatever] since the agreement on rent was predicated on the place being furnished
if he did disclose whatever the situation was at the time billy was looking to rent (and im guessing he didnt) then the solution should be ezpz based on whatever was said
subjective opinion in spoiler + Show Spoiler +tommy sounds like a complete idiot
|
Tell tommy to fuck off, burn his furniture and send him the vid
You can also send this thread to Tommy, so he realizes he is an asshole. But only after you burned his furniture :D
(this isn't a tricky situation at all, tommy is 100% in the wrong)
|
I agree with Billy - Tommy should come and get the furniture. If he doesn't, it's fair game to use.
Johnny has no responsibility to either party (can choose to remain neutral) but he can break the impasse by telling Tommy to come get the furniture or stop complaining.
|
|
The original room mate never entered an explicit contract of sale, verbal or otherwise, with the new room mate. He effectively left his property without payment or other forms of compensation with the chief tenant (Johnny).
He is entitled to retrieve his belongings just as Johnny is entitled to throw them out if it suits him. He is also entitled to sell it if there is a prospective purchaser of said furniture.
He isn't entitled to retroactively levy payment on his furniture for prior use before an expressed and explicit agreement was concluded.
|
Tommy left his furniture to the hands of Johnny.
It's in Johnny's possession and under his roof, it's his furniture to which he agreed to rent the room space, room and the furniture accompanied to Billy.
Tommy has no say and even if he did, he was given the right to claim his belongings if he truly felt bothered by the agreement. He doesn't want to do it and his word certainly has no validity or power.
Tommy's out of luck. It's either trash because he couldn't bring it with him anyways or used for someone who'd benefit from him.
|
On February 11 2012 12:31 Probe1 wrote: The original room mate never entered an explicit contract of sale, verbal or otherwise, with the new room mate. He effectively left his property without payment or other forms of compensation with the chief tenant (Johnny).
He is entitled to retrieve his belongings just as Johnny is entitled to throw them out if it suits him. He is also entitled to sell it if there is a prospective purchaser of said furniture.
He isn't entitled to retroactively levy payment on his furniture for prior use before an expressed and explicit agreement was concluded.
Can Tommy argue verbal contract with Billy's brother?
|
Its not billys fault. its Johnny and tommy's fault.
Its money that tommy put into Johnny property. thus he should be working out a deal to transfer ownership of said furnature to Johnny instead of billy.
billy shouldn't be included in any discussions as hes just renting a property he in this case includes the new stuff. Johnny should offer to pay Tommy a very small amount for the stuff and harassing his new customer or tell him to get it himself. if he can do neither tell him that he can't have a choice in the mater as he isn't the renter anymore
in any case Johnny can just be a total ass and just say that the stuff is his now and Tommy should stop talking to him or sue for the stuff back. I'm not familier in local laws on how that would go after.
|
On February 11 2012 12:36 MrBitter wrote:
Can Tommy argue verbal contract with Billy's brother? Just because they're related doesn't mean you can legally speak for your brother. Billy's brother can't speak for Billy, and Billy has no obligation to do anything his brother said he would do.
Tommy is 100% in the wrong.
|
Ben... This is the most Bitter thing I ever heard.
|
On February 11 2012 12:37 sermokala wrote: Its not billys fault. its Johnny and tommy's fault.
Its money that tommy put into Johnny property. thus he should be working out a deal to transfer ownership of said furnature to Johnny instead of billy.
billy shouldn't be included in any discussions as hes just renting a property he in this case includes the new stuff. Johnny should offer to pay Tommy a very small amount for the stuff and harassing his new customer or tell him to get it himself. if he can do neither tell him that he can't have a choice in the mater as he isn't the renter anymore
in any case Johnny can just be a total ass and just say that the stuff is his now and Tommy should stop talking to him or sue for the stuff back. I'm not familier in local laws on how that would go after. How can it remotely even be Johnny's fault???
Johnny doesn't want the furniture and Tommy should come and get it himself or stop complaining. How can you make someone buy something they don't want???
|
On February 11 2012 12:36 MrBitter wrote:Show nested quote +On February 11 2012 12:31 Probe1 wrote: The original room mate never entered an explicit contract of sale, verbal or otherwise, with the new room mate. He effectively left his property without payment or other forms of compensation with the chief tenant (Johnny).
He is entitled to retrieve his belongings just as Johnny is entitled to throw them out if it suits him. He is also entitled to sell it if there is a prospective purchaser of said furniture.
He isn't entitled to retroactively levy payment on his furniture for prior use before an expressed and explicit agreement was concluded. Can Tommy argue verbal contract with Billy's brother? He can argue until he's blue in the face but he has no legal right for compensation.
My prediction is he in fact will argue and eventually bitch and then eventually after being a hassle leave with his stuff.
|
sir this is a very simple case. Tommy left the furniture without leaving any intent of selling. You don't just leave furniture in a rented house that you are leaving, and then expect it all to be there. The apartment is not Tommy's storage space. Tommy should have taken the furniture with him or stored it so he could use or sell later. Him leaving all his shit at the apartment without any agreement with the owner is his fault.
Tommy is wrong. Also, you can't speak on behalf of someone else either and have that hold up in court.
|
The furniture belongs to jonny, because the alternative would be tommy throws it away when he left, and jonny claims it from the trash. Unless there was a conversation between jonny and tommy, but the way you have it described it sounds like tommy essentially said "I can't take the desk, oh my bus is here bye"
Billy's brother is stupid for negotiating for billy without his knowledge, and tommy is stupid for negotiating with a third party in the first place (of an object which he has questionable ownership).
|
United States24343 Posts
Letting him come get his old furniture is a [i]courtesy[i] if both you and the new tenant even agree to it...
BTW I made a blog with the exact same title lol
|
On February 11 2012 12:41 Azzur wrote:Show nested quote +On February 11 2012 12:37 sermokala wrote: Its not billys fault. its Johnny and tommy's fault.
Its money that tommy put into Johnny property. thus he should be working out a deal to transfer ownership of said furnature to Johnny instead of billy.
billy shouldn't be included in any discussions as hes just renting a property he in this case includes the new stuff. Johnny should offer to pay Tommy a very small amount for the stuff and harassing his new customer or tell him to get it himself. if he can do neither tell him that he can't have a choice in the mater as he isn't the renter anymore
in any case Johnny can just be a total ass and just say that the stuff is his now and Tommy should stop talking to him or sue for the stuff back. I'm not familier in local laws on how that would go after. How can it remotely even be Johnny's fault??? Johnny doesn't want the furniture and Tommy should come and get it himself or stop complaining. How can you make someone buy something they don't want???
After everything its johnny's place. hes the one that rented the place out again without getting whats inside of it sorted out on his end. billy shouldn't have to worry about buying whats in the place that hes renting. johnny should have had the situation sorted out when tommy left and have ended it there.
|
United States24343 Posts
On February 11 2012 13:03 sermokala wrote:Show nested quote +On February 11 2012 12:41 Azzur wrote:On February 11 2012 12:37 sermokala wrote: Its not billys fault. its Johnny and tommy's fault.
Its money that tommy put into Johnny property. thus he should be working out a deal to transfer ownership of said furnature to Johnny instead of billy.
billy shouldn't be included in any discussions as hes just renting a property he in this case includes the new stuff. Johnny should offer to pay Tommy a very small amount for the stuff and harassing his new customer or tell him to get it himself. if he can do neither tell him that he can't have a choice in the mater as he isn't the renter anymore
in any case Johnny can just be a total ass and just say that the stuff is his now and Tommy should stop talking to him or sue for the stuff back. I'm not familier in local laws on how that would go after. How can it remotely even be Johnny's fault??? Johnny doesn't want the furniture and Tommy should come and get it himself or stop complaining. How can you make someone buy something they don't want??? After everything its johnny's place. hes the one that rented the place out again without getting whats inside of it sorted out on his end. billy shouldn't have to worry about buying whats in the place that hes renting. johnny should have had the situation sorted out when tommy left and have ended it there. From the sound of it it was already sorted out. The furniture became part of the apartment. Billy agreed to rent the place, knowing what the contents of it were. The fact that the landlord is possibly willing, Billy permitting, to allow the original tenant to even still retrieve the furniture isn't necessary.
|
On February 11 2012 13:06 micronesia wrote:Show nested quote +On February 11 2012 13:03 sermokala wrote:On February 11 2012 12:41 Azzur wrote:On February 11 2012 12:37 sermokala wrote: Its not billys fault. its Johnny and tommy's fault.
Its money that tommy put into Johnny property. thus he should be working out a deal to transfer ownership of said furnature to Johnny instead of billy.
billy shouldn't be included in any discussions as hes just renting a property he in this case includes the new stuff. Johnny should offer to pay Tommy a very small amount for the stuff and harassing his new customer or tell him to get it himself. if he can do neither tell him that he can't have a choice in the mater as he isn't the renter anymore
in any case Johnny can just be a total ass and just say that the stuff is his now and Tommy should stop talking to him or sue for the stuff back. I'm not familier in local laws on how that would go after. How can it remotely even be Johnny's fault??? Johnny doesn't want the furniture and Tommy should come and get it himself or stop complaining. How can you make someone buy something they don't want??? After everything its johnny's place. hes the one that rented the place out again without getting whats inside of it sorted out on his end. billy shouldn't have to worry about buying whats in the place that hes renting. johnny should have had the situation sorted out when tommy left and have ended it there. From the sound of it it was already sorted out. The furniture became part of the apartment. Billy agreed to rent the place, knowing what the contents of it were. The fact that the landlord is possibly willing, Billy permitting, to allow the original tenant to even still retrieve the furniture isn't necessary.
I didn't see that. it got very confusing in there.
|
Tommy either comes and picks up his stuff or Johnny takes possession of it. If Johnny didn't sign anything or specify a date the he would keep Tommy's property for Tommy needs to listen to Johnny, and Johnny likely has no legal obligation to give it back if it has been half a year.
Also unless Billy's bother was authorized to act as an agent, Billy has absolutely no responsibility to Tommy. If Billy's brother portrayed himself as an agent he may be legally obligated to pay, but Billy definitely doesn't
But srsly call a lawyer and see where you stand legally before you do anything rash, not that you would.
Edit: Yah this is from a business law course last year, go with what Mr. Black says and Tell Tommy to pick up his shit or leave it
Anyhow I would call Tommy up and offer him like $50 bucks for all of it and if he doesn't take it he has to have it out within a week or its on the curb.
|
On February 11 2012 12:06 MrBitter wrote: Tommy rents a room from a Johnny. He furnishes the room, but one day has to move. For whatever reason, he's not able to bring his furniture with him, and leaves it all behind.
Johnny doesn't mind this, as it basically means he has a furnished bedroom to offer to guests when they come by.
A couple months pass.
One day Billy asks Johnny if he can rent the room. Billy and Johnny agree to terms, and Billy moves in to Johnny's furnished guest room.
A couple more months pass.
Tommy comes to visit, and hangs out with Billy, Billy's brother (who is also in town), and Johnny for a few days. While he's in town, he talks to Billy's brother about selling his furniture to Billy. The brother seems agreeable to the prospect of Billy buying the furniture, but the subject is never actually brought up with Billy. Tommy leaves thinking he has sold his old stuff.
A couple more months pass.
One day Tommy contacts Billy, claiming that Billy owes him money for the furniture. Billy disagrees. Tommy claims that it isn't fair that Billy has been using his furniture for all this time, but Billy argues that the subject should have been broached when he moved in, and if not then, then certainly when Tommy was in town.
Tommy gets mad and claims that if Billy won't pay up, then Billy's brother should. Billy still disagrees.
Angrily, Tommy says "then you're not allowed to use my furniture anymore".
Billy says "You're welcome to come get it any time."
Tommy counters "It's my furniture and you can't use it. I'm never going to come get it, but if you don't pay me for it, you're not allowed to use it."
Is one side right or wrong?
Should Billy have to pay Tommy?
Does Johnny have a responsibility to either side?
What would you do if you were in either Billy's or Tommy's shoes?
Discuss!
A legal analysis from an actual, practicing lawyer.
First, I assume we are in America. I can't speak to the laws of wherever it is that "Johnny" lives currently, likely somewhere over the pond.
Ok, so, first -- does Johnny have any responsibility to Tommy?
"Johnny doesn't mind this, as it basically means he has a furnished bedroom to offer to guests when they come by." Johnny actually does have a responsibility under the law of bailments. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bailment This is a "mutual bailment" in that Tommy benefitted from being able to store his furniture and Johnny got to have a furnished room for guests. The responsibility that Johnny has to Tommy is that he must exercise ordinary, reasonable care to prevent the furniture from being harmed. In other words, Johnny cannot intentionally trash the stuff without Tommy's permission, or at the very least, without giving Tommy a reasonable opportunity to retrieve his items.
Second, should Billy have to pay Tommy? "Tommy comes to visit, and hangs out with Billy, Billy's brother (who is also in town), and Johnny for a few days. While he's in town, he talks to Billy's brother about selling his furniture to Billy. The brother seems agreeable to the prospect of Billy buying the furniture, but the subject is never actually brought up with Billy. Tommy leaves thinking he has sold his old stuff." Billy almost certainly should not have to pay Tommy. However, there are circumstances consistent with the above facts in which Billy could have to pay Tommy. First, if Billy authorized his brother to negotiate on his behalf (for example if Billy hired his brother as his attorney or agent or even his furniture consultant)--then if Billy's brother made a deal, Billy needs to pay. Second, if Billy's actions would reasonably lead Tommy to believe that Billy's brother had the authority to bind Billy, then Billy would have to pay. For example, if Tommy said, "Hey Billy, you interested in buying my furniture?" and Billy said, "Ask my brother, he knows furniture and handles my furniture deals." This is the law of agency. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agency_(law)
Even if Billy's brother was authorized to make a deal that would bind Billy, do we have an enforceable contract? That depends on a few things: First, obviously there is no written, signed contract, or we would not have this problem. In the absence of a written contract, we have to prove an oral contract. The sale of goods (like furniture) is governed by article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code. Under the UCC, a contract can be any offer and acceptance and can be proven by mere conduct that demonstrates that a deal has been reached. So, IF Billy's brother was authorized to deal for Billy, WHAT HE ACTUALLY SAID TO TOMMY is important in determining if there is an enforceable contract. UNLESS -- the sale price is over $500. Under the "Statute of Frauds" provision of the UCC, contracts for the sales of goods over $500 must be memorialized in writing. So, in order for Tommy to collect from Billy, he needs to be able to show 1) that Billy's brother had actual or apparent authority to make a deal on Billy's behalf, 2) that Tommy and Billy's brother actually reached a deal, and 3) that the deal was for less than $500. If Tommy was trying to hire me to take his case, I would tell him that it was a bad idea, but that I would be willing to represent him for $20,000.00 paid up front (this is how I handle refusing representation in bad cases -- because, who knows, maybe some fool will take me up on it some time).
Can Tommy leave his property at Johnny's house (in Billy's room, no less) indefinitely and forbid Billy from using the property? No. Of course not. Assuming we have a reliable narrator, Tommy is being a fucking tool. First, when Billy moved in, Tommy's property stopped being beneficial to Johnny -- in legal terms, the bailment was no longer mutual, but rather gratuitous. When a bailment only benefits the property owner, the holder of the property only needs to refrain from GROSS NEGLIGENCE in preventing harm to the property. In fact, Johnny (or Billy) can likely do what they want with the property--trash it or keep it, if they give Tommy a reasonable opportunity to get his stuff. Tommy sounds like a baby. He needs to grow up. He also needs to come get his shit out of your pad.
I practice civil litigation (lawsuits not involving family law or criminal law) in Texas. PM me if you live in Texas need a good lawyer.
|
Tommy is wrong. Billy is right. Billy's brother fucked up if he thought he could speak on Billy's behalf, but if he didn't think that and never made a serious offer or anything, then Tommy is stupid. Tommy is also stupid for just saying that "I won't bother to come over there, but I'm just calling to let you know that your room holds my stuff and you'd better not fucking use it or I won't do anything." Seriously, who even bothers when you don't even give enough of a shit to get in your car and go to your old place?
|
Sounds like it's turning into a Quentin Tarantino movie. Pretty soon Tommy is going to shoot Billy and Call Jimmy to help clean it up while Billy's Brother will take vengeance, all the while Johnny Reaps the benefits his now inherits all the stuff. Best of luck... In a seriousness Tommy needs to get the stick out of his ass and deal with his stuff or it's his own fault for leaving it there.
|
illsick
United States1770 Posts
On February 11 2012 12:36 MrBitter wrote:Show nested quote +On February 11 2012 12:31 Probe1 wrote: The original room mate never entered an explicit contract of sale, verbal or otherwise, with the new room mate. He effectively left his property without payment or other forms of compensation with the chief tenant (Johnny).
He is entitled to retrieve his belongings just as Johnny is entitled to throw them out if it suits him. He is also entitled to sell it if there is a prospective purchaser of said furniture.
He isn't entitled to retroactively levy payment on his furniture for prior use before an expressed and explicit agreement was concluded. Can Tommy argue verbal contract with Billy's brother?
would you want your brother to sign up for something you didn't agree on?
I don't think Billy owes anything.
I think it's dumb for Tommy to tell Billy not to use the furniture. He has other options; sell the furniture or move the furniture out. Why would Tommy bring it up to Billy's brother if he wanted to sell it to Billy; should have just asked Billy. It's a bit greedy of Tommy since obviously he left it there and wasn't planning on using the furniture. Where's the love? he wasn't using it and he had no room to store anywhere; storage cost $$$ too. Why wouldn't he want to move out the stuff now? cuz he probably doesn't have room anywhere to put it and he might have to pay money to store it somewhere. Honestly, I wouldn't even say it's Billy's fault if he just told Tommy he was leaving the furniture outside to get thrown out. And obviously Billy doesn't care if Tommy sells the furniture.
|
Billy should fuck tommy, shit on the furniture and give it back.
|
Well from the way you wrote the story(which might be biased), Billy doesent have to give him anything
|
It's Johnny's furniture now since Tommy left it behind and Billy doesn't owe Tommy a dime.
|
Its Tommy's fault.
The lease agreement should have had a clause about whether flat was furnished, and if the furniture was NOT included the onus is on Tommy to make sure the rented space was clean of all unnecessary clutter, as that space that he was using for storage was technically no longer his.
If Billy was not actually allowed to use the furniture and Tommy messed it up, Billy has more of a claim against Tommy due to negligence and having his space used as storage than Tommy does for Billy using his stuff
"zoz, was storing his stuff for him, so figured I could use it and he wouldnt have to pay me"
Lease agreements are crucial tho.... And the laws of the area involved (SA has some crazy stuff protecting the poorer people... in this case tenants are protected more than landlords, but don't know ths specifics)
|
On February 11 2012 14:17 Mr. Black wrote:Show nested quote +On February 11 2012 12:06 MrBitter wrote: Tommy rents a room from a Johnny. He furnishes the room, but one day has to move. For whatever reason, he's not able to bring his furniture with him, and leaves it all behind.
Johnny doesn't mind this, as it basically means he has a furnished bedroom to offer to guests when they come by.
A couple months pass.
One day Billy asks Johnny if he can rent the room. Billy and Johnny agree to terms, and Billy moves in to Johnny's furnished guest room.
A couple more months pass.
Tommy comes to visit, and hangs out with Billy, Billy's brother (who is also in town), and Johnny for a few days. While he's in town, he talks to Billy's brother about selling his furniture to Billy. The brother seems agreeable to the prospect of Billy buying the furniture, but the subject is never actually brought up with Billy. Tommy leaves thinking he has sold his old stuff.
A couple more months pass.
One day Tommy contacts Billy, claiming that Billy owes him money for the furniture. Billy disagrees. Tommy claims that it isn't fair that Billy has been using his furniture for all this time, but Billy argues that the subject should have been broached when he moved in, and if not then, then certainly when Tommy was in town.
Tommy gets mad and claims that if Billy won't pay up, then Billy's brother should. Billy still disagrees.
Angrily, Tommy says "then you're not allowed to use my furniture anymore".
Billy says "You're welcome to come get it any time."
Tommy counters "It's my furniture and you can't use it. I'm never going to come get it, but if you don't pay me for it, you're not allowed to use it."
Is one side right or wrong?
Should Billy have to pay Tommy?
Does Johnny have a responsibility to either side?
What would you do if you were in either Billy's or Tommy's shoes?
Discuss!
+ Show Spoiler +A legal analysis from an actual, practicing lawyer. First, I assume we are in America. I can't speak to the laws of wherever it is that "Johnny" lives currently, likely somewhere over the pond. Ok, so, first -- does Johnny have any responsibility to Tommy? "Johnny doesn't mind this, as it basically means he has a furnished bedroom to offer to guests when they come by." Johnny actually does have a responsibility under the law of bailments. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BailmentThis is a "mutual bailment" in that Tommy benefitted from being able to store his furniture and Johnny got to have a furnished room for guests. The responsibility that Johnny has to Tommy is that he must exercise ordinary, reasonable care to prevent the furniture from being harmed. In other words, Johnny cannot intentionally trash the stuff without Tommy's permission, or at the very least, without giving Tommy a reasonable opportunity to retrieve his items. Second, should Billy have to pay Tommy? "Tommy comes to visit, and hangs out with Billy, Billy's brother (who is also in town), and Johnny for a few days. While he's in town, he talks to Billy's brother about selling his furniture to Billy. The brother seems agreeable to the prospect of Billy buying the furniture, but the subject is never actually brought up with Billy. Tommy leaves thinking he has sold his old stuff." Billy almost certainly should not have to pay Tommy. However, there are circumstances consistent with the above facts in which Billy could have to pay Tommy. First, if Billy authorized his brother to negotiate on his behalf (for example if Billy hired his brother as his attorney or agent or even his furniture consultant)--then if Billy's brother made a deal, Billy needs to pay. Second, if Billy's actions would reasonably lead Tommy to believe that Billy's brother had the authority to bind Billy, then Billy would have to pay. For example, if Tommy said, "Hey Billy, you interested in buying my furniture?" and Billy said, "Ask my brother, he knows furniture and handles my furniture deals." This is the law of agency. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agency_(law)Even if Billy's brother was authorized to make a deal that would bind Billy, do we have an enforceable contract? That depends on a few things: First, obviously there is no written, signed contract, or we would not have this problem. In the absence of a written contract, we have to prove an oral contract. The sale of goods (like furniture) is governed by article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code. Under the UCC, a contract can be any offer and acceptance and can be proven by mere conduct that demonstrates that a deal has been reached. So, IF Billy's brother was authorized to deal for Billy, WHAT HE ACTUALLY SAID TO TOMMY is important in determining if there is an enforceable contract. UNLESS -- the sale price is over $500. Under the "Statute of Frauds" provision of the UCC, contracts for the sales of goods over $500 must be memorialized in writing. So, in order for Tommy to collect from Billy, he needs to be able to show 1) that Billy's brother had actual or apparent authority to make a deal on Billy's behalf, 2) that Tommy and Billy's brother actually reached a deal, and 3) that the deal was for less than $500. If Tommy was trying to hire me to take his case, I would tell him that it was a bad idea, but that I would be willing to represent him for $20,000.00 paid up front (this is how I handle refusing representation in bad cases -- because, who knows, maybe some fool will take me up on it some time). Can Tommy leave his property at Johnny's house (in Billy's room, no less) indefinitely and forbid Billy from using the property? No. Of course not. Assuming we have a reliable narrator, Tommy is being a fucking tool. First, when Billy moved in, Tommy's property stopped being beneficial to Johnny -- in legal terms, the bailment was no longer mutual, but rather gratuitous. When a bailment only benefits the property owner, the holder of the property only needs to refrain from GROSS NEGLIGENCE in preventing harm to the property. In fact, Johnny (or Billy) can likely do what they want with the property--trash it or keep it, if they give Tommy a reasonable opportunity to get his stuff. Tommy sounds like a baby. He needs to grow up. He also needs to come get his shit out of your pad. I practice civil litigation (lawsuits not involving family law or criminal law) in Texas. PM me if you live in Texas need a good lawyer.
That was super righteous. Every time I read something from a lawyer, it makes me think that maybe I should reconsider and try to get into law school. I probably won't, but this was an awesome read.
Anyways, Mr. Bitter if you are Johnny, do you have any relationship issues here. Like are you friends with Tommy and/or Billy? It seems most people here have decided you have no legal or moral standing on which to side with Tommy who is the aggressor here, so do you have any social reason to? If not, then you should be all set.
|
what a weird scenario. Well it's not like he can stop him from using it lol. If he said he's leaving it there forever that basically equals you own it
|
Tommy sounds like a complete retard.
|
I think maybe Johnny should think about moving. If the apartment in question is rented, to whom is it rented? Does the lease allow subletting at all? Are all occupants actually signatories to the lease? Is there even a written lease?
Johnny might consider the simplest solution to his personal involvement in the situation to be finding a new flat, informing all and sundry that he is moving out, and they can figure out it all out between themselves. It sounds very much like there is no actual written leasing going on between Billy, Tommy, and Johnny - although I'm going largely based on US housing practices here, and the idea that Billy, Tommy, and Johnny are relatively young men that should know better than to get involved in rental agreements without proper legal protection.
Depending on the exact wording and any applicable leasing / subletting, I think Tommy might be up a creek. If I move out of my apartment and leave behind my furniture (or anything else) without paying for storage, by the terms of my lease I am effectively abandoning all of that and may even be billed by the apartment owner for disposal of said property. In eviction/foreclosure instances, any left property may even be sold to gain any debt I may owe.
But yeah, this is why I generally don't have roommates - even when you're all friends, complications can show up and fuck with otherwise good relationships.
|
|
|
|