if someone leaves a couch in front of a trash container can I legally get it or should I wait till sundown?

Question

if someone leaves a couch in front of a trash container can I legally get it or should I wait till sundown?

Answer 1

LOL!!! It's next to the trash. Go get it if you want it.

Answer 2

It's not illegal so go for it.

Answer 3

dont know about your local laws, but it sounds abandoned to me. I would go get it if I wanted it. Good for you. No need to spend money if you can get it for free.

Answer 4

yep you can get it...sometimes people bin stuff which are in pretty good condition

Answer 5

Placing something near the trash raise a rebuttable presumption that the owner intends to give it to the trash people, NOT that it has been abandoned for anyone to come take it. How do you know it was placed there by the owner? What if it had been stolen from someone and placed there as a prank? What if the trash container wasn't there when they put the couch outside and they fully intend to take it inside when their large and mean brothers arrive? The "finders keepers" rule simply doesn't apply as broadly as many people seem to think.



The Supreme Court ruled that "trash placed on public property for collection" had no further protection from official search and seizure as evidence of a crime, not that it was free for the taking by anyone who happened to want it.

Answer 6

If it looks abandoned. Go for it.



It's thrifty and better for the environment.

Answer 7

Sure, it's free game. Don't let the nay sayers get you down, when I first moved out, my first couch was "rescued" from someone's trash. A little Febreeze and stain remover and you'll be in business.

Answer 8

Well I don't know what the legal rules are, but if they left it next to the trashcan, they're not going to complain if you take it. If you're really worried about it, just knock on the door and ask if it's OK, but if it's next to the trash, I'm sure it is.

Answer 9

If I didn't have a couch, I will take it because they threw it out just like garage.

Answer 10

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that once someone puts something out on the curveside, it's fair game for anyone that wants it....



However: It doesn't count if it is on private property (eg=example given) (I got chased away from a great dumpster-diving spot, because it was on private property,, and they threw away some really good stuff; it was like a thrift store dumpster).. I'll bet if the community knew they ran me off from there, some people would stop donating to them...



Also: some cities have laws that won't allow you to get stuff from the roadside, because they have a truck that goes by and picks the stuff up, and they seperate it and sell it (recycle it).. But thats very rare... Usually they only want metal stuff...



I'd say, go get that couch,, and if the Po-Po comes up while you're there getting it,, just look him square in the eye, and say "Oh, I'm sorry officer,,, am I not allowed to put this couch here for the trash man??,, I'll just take it back inside with me;;; sorry sir..." lmao : ^ )



I hope you hit the lottery, and can get you all the couches you want.. I am totally in the same boat... : ^ ) ain't no shame,,,, but be careful,, cause there might be roach-bugs in that couch...



Best Of Luck To You... : ^ )



Dale

Answer 11

You could go get it, although technically at that point it is the property of the town. Same idea applies to recyclables. Taking aluminum cans from containers of recyclables set out at the curb is technically stealing from the town.



But before you take the couch, think about how many farts have been blown through the fabric and what the stains might really be.



Personally, I think it is better to grab tossed out furniture that can be re-used because this is conservation of resources.

Answer 12

what if the people had roaches or other bugs?







go ahead, and embarass yourself in public by taking the couch.