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OT Lawyer Question

Posted on 5/23/26 at 9:27 am
Posted by WHS
walker LA.
Member since Feb 2006
3518 posts
Posted on 5/23/26 at 9:27 am
My wife and I recently sold our old mobile home after our house was built. The people who purchased it moved the mobile home but 6 months has passed and they have not moved the porch.

Like idiots we don’t put a move deadline in the purchase agreement but I have been texting them back and forth about moving it. I set a deadline of June 1st.

What can we legally do if they won’t come get it by June 1st?

This post was edited on 5/23/26 at 9:28 am
Posted by foj1981
Baton Rouge
Member since Nov 2013
4266 posts
Posted on 5/23/26 at 9:31 am to
Gasoline/match problem solved
Posted by zuluboudreaux
God’s country USA
Member since Jan 2008
1217 posts
Posted on 5/23/26 at 9:51 am to
Did the bill of sale document they were purchasing the porch in the description of items being sold?

6 months tells me they have no use for the porch. They getting inside the trailer without the porch.
Posted by Stat M Repairman
Member since Jun 2023
3019 posts
Posted on 5/23/26 at 9:58 am to
Put it on craigslist and send em a link to the ad.
Posted by soccerfüt
Location: A Series of Tubes
Member since May 2013
75538 posts
Posted on 5/23/26 at 10:00 am to
Was the porch explicitly mentioned in the sale document?

If not, it’s not their’s.

Move on from there.
Posted by W2NOMO
Member since Jul 2025
2792 posts
Posted on 5/23/26 at 10:12 am to
ChatGPT :

In Louisiana, this is mostly a property/contract issue. Since you already gave them notice and a deadline, you’re in a better position than if there had been no communication at all.

quote:

Just confirming that the deadline to remove the porch from our property is June 1, 2026. If it is not removed by then, we will proceed with having it removed ourselves and may seek reimbursement for any associated costs. Please let me know your removal schedule.


If June 1 passes and they still haven’t moved the porch, your practical options are usually:

1. Send a final written demand
Certified mail is better than text at this point. State:

* they purchased the porch/mobile home improvements,
* they were expected to remove it,
* you extended multiple opportunities,
* final deadline was June 1,
* after that date you’ll consider it abandoned and seek removal costs and/or disposal.

2. Have it removed yourselves
You can usually hire someone to demolish/remove it from your property after reasonable notice. The main risk is them later claiming you destroyed their property improperly, which is why documentation matters.
3. Sue for removal costs
If you spend money removing it, you could potentially pursue them in small claims/justice court for those costs.
4. Avoid self-help that creates liability
Don’t drag it onto a road, dump it elsewhere, or sell it immediately without notice. That’s where people get into trouble.

What helps you:

* Six months is a long time.
* You have text records.
* You gave a specific deadline.
* It’s sitting on your land interfering with your property use.

What would strengthen your position even more:

* Photos with dates.
* Screenshots of all texts.
* A certified letter before June 1.

You may also want to check whether the purchase agreement specifically mentioned the porch or “all appurtenances/improvements,” because that can matter.

This post was edited on 5/23/26 at 10:14 am
Posted by Royal
God's Country
Member since Apr 2009
1046 posts
Posted on 5/23/26 at 10:39 am to
I’m not poor enough to understand this fact pattern. Good lord.
Posted by WHS
walker LA.
Member since Feb 2006
3518 posts
Posted on 5/23/26 at 10:41 am to
The bill of sale does mention the porch unfortunately
Posted by WHS
walker LA.
Member since Feb 2006
3518 posts
Posted on 5/23/26 at 10:44 am to
The bill of sale mentions the porch. I have a neighbor who wants it though and will move it
Posted by RichJ
The Land of the CoonAss
Member since Nov 2016
5879 posts
Posted on 5/23/26 at 12:36 pm to
I’m not an attorney, but I have slept in a Holiday Inn Express before, and I’d say you got a case…
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
50059 posts
Posted on 5/23/26 at 12:53 pm to
quote:

I have a neighbor who wants it though and will move it
case closed
next on the docket?
Posted by RanchoLaPuerto
Jena
Member since Aug 2023
2248 posts
Posted on 5/23/26 at 1:57 pm to
I am not your lawyer. Get a lawyer.

I vaguely recall the articles on this. If it is a separately owned incorporated immovable, I think you give them notice. If they don’t remove it in 90 days, it’s yours.

This is not legal advice. This is a post on a sports board based on vague recollection.
Posted by biglego
San Francisco
Member since Nov 2007
85169 posts
Posted on 5/23/26 at 2:11 pm to
quote:

I am not your lawyer. Get a lawyer.


Bruh. This is a case about a trailer porch. You think OP is in position to pay a lawyer to handle this? It’s a trailer porch left on his property. It’s frankly a non issue. It’s on your property and the buyers have had reasonable time to come get it.

Posted by Gee Grenouille
Member since Jul 2018
8330 posts
Posted on 5/23/26 at 4:27 pm to
Did you contract the house yourself or pay a contractor? Just curious
Posted by TheOcean
#honeyfriedchicken
Member since Aug 2004
46391 posts
Posted on 5/23/26 at 4:42 pm to
Babytac and PJ also live in trailers. Hit them up
Posted by BigRigLawBaw
Member since Nov 2025
21 posts
Posted on 5/23/26 at 10:23 pm to
If you hurt your lumbar spine while moving this deadbeat’s stairs, call me.
Posted by rexorotten
2314762 posts
Member since Oct 2013
5189 posts
Posted on 5/23/26 at 10:53 pm to
Posted by biglego
San Francisco
Member since Nov 2007
85169 posts
Posted on 5/23/26 at 11:11 pm to
(no message)
This post was edited on 5/23/26 at 11:14 pm
Posted by biglego
San Francisco
Member since Nov 2007
85169 posts
Posted on 5/23/26 at 11:13 pm to
Grok:

quote:

In Louisiana, you have several practical and legal options, but proceed carefully to avoid liability for conversion (wrongfully taking or destroying someone else’s property) or other claims. Since no deadline was in the purchase agreement, the June 1st text deadline helps establish “reasonableness,” but it’s not ironclad. The porch left behind is likely treated as the buyers’ personal property (movable/chattel) rather than part of the real estate sale, especially since the mobile home itself was moved.32 Key Steps and Options 1 Document Everything Thoroughly: ? Keep records of all texts, calls, and communications showing your requests and their delays. This proves you gave notice and they failed to act. ? Take photos/videos of the porch now and note any damage or issues it causes (e.g., blocking use of the land, safety hazards, or maintenance costs). 2 Send Formal Written Notice (Strongly Recommended): ? Send a certified letter (return receipt requested) + regular mail demanding removal by a new reasonable deadline (e.g., June 15–30, giving them time after June 1). ? State clearly: The porch is their responsibility, it interferes with your property use, and if not removed by [date], you will remove it at their expense, store it if needed, and/or pursue legal remedies (including costs, storage fees, and any damages). Mention potential small claims action. ? This creates a stronger record of abandonment or unreasonable delay. 3 If They Don’t Comply by Your Deadline: ? Self-Help Removal: You can generally remove the porch yourself (or hire someone) as the landowner. Louisiana law allows dealing with items left on your property after reasonable notice, especially in non-landlord contexts. However, store it safely rather than immediately destroying/disposing if it has value — this reduces risk of a conversion lawsuit. Charge them reasonable removal/storage costs.0 ? Send them an invoice for costs + proof of storage location. You can then pursue recovery in small claims court (up to $5,000 in most Louisiana parish courts; filing is inexpensive). ? If it’s worthless junk/debris, you may have more leeway to dispose of it after notice, but document why (e.g., photos showing condition). 4 Legal Actions if Needed: ? Small Claims Court: Sue for breach (implied duty to remove sold items), trespass to chattels, or costs of removal/storage. Texts and certified letter strengthen your case. This is often the simplest route for modest amounts.3 ? Unjust Enrichment or Conversion Claim: If they benefit from leaving it or you incur costs, this could apply. ? Injunction or Other Suit: For ongoing issues (e.g., if it’s causing damage), consult an attorney about filing in district court, though this is costlier. ? Criminal trespass is unlikely here unless they come onto your property without permission after notice.10 Important Caveats • No Automatic Abandonment: Louisiana doesn’t have a super-short “30 days and it’s yours” rule for this exact post-sale scenario (unlike some landlord-tenant rules for rentals). Courts look at intent and reasonableness. Your communications help show they abandoned it or unreasonably delayed.50 • Fixtures vs. Personal Property: If the porch was permanently attached (e.g., foundation-tied), it might arguably transfer with the land — but since they moved the home and left it, it’s probably treated as theirs. Ambiguity favors getting legal advice. • Liability Risks: Don’t destroy/sell high-value items without notice and documentation. Keep records of costs and efforts. • Local Factors: Check parish/city ordinances (e.g., debris, zoning, or building codes in your Louisiana area) that might classify it as a nuisance. Strongly recommend consulting a local real estate or civil attorney for tailored advice — ideally one familiar with your parish. They can review the purchase agreement, draft the notice, and assess value/costs. Legal aid or a quick consultation via the Louisiana State Bar referral service can be affordable. An attorney letter often motivates compliance without court. In the meantime, continue polite but firm texts referencing your formal notice and deadline. Most people respond to escalating paperwork. Good luck resolving this smoothly.
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