WIBTA if I refused to give up a water fountain the previous homeowners abandoned 4 years ago?

Image credit: Pixabay (This is example image – Not the actual photo)

Homeowners vs. Previous Owners: A Garden Dilemma

After moving into a poorly constructed home, a couple finds themselves in a standoff with the previous owner over a water fountain left behind. Despite the owner’s sentimental attachment, the couple has waited four years for the fountain to be claimed, all while navigating extensive home repairs and personal challenges. As they prepare to incorporate the fountain into their long-awaited garden design, they must decide whether to honor the past or assert their ownership. This relatable tale raises questions about property rights, emotional attachments, and the complexities of homeownership in today’s market.

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 several items, including a water fountain. Here’s a breakdown of the situation that has led to ongoing family drama and conflict resolution challenges:

Initial Agreement: Within the first month of moving in, the PO requested to collect the water fountain. The couple agreed, but the PO never returned to pick it up.
Time Passed: Fast forward to March-April 2025, and the fountain has remained in the front yard for four years. The couple has been busy organizing and designing their front garden, intending to incorporate the fountain into their plans.
Gardening Challenges: The avid gardener faced multiple delays in starting the garden:
- Settling into the new home during the first year.
- Learning about seasonal gardening, as they moved from Florida where seasons are less pronounced.
- Addressing significant construction issues with the house, including repairing a poorly built wall.
Health Setback: Just as the couple planned to power wash and repair the fountain, one partner contracted COVID-19, causing further delays.
PO’s Request: Recently, the PO contacted the couple’s husband, expressing a desire to reclaim the fountain as it was a gift for his wife’s anniversary. He insisted on picking it up that weekend.
Couple’s Response: The couple decided they were no longer willing to part with the fountain, citing that it had been on their property for four years and was considered abandoned.
Legal Perspective: The couple believes that since the PO did not retrieve the fountain within a reasonable timeframe, they have the right to keep it. They argue that they are not a storage unit and that the PO’s lack of action indicates a lack of care for the item.
Home Repair Issues: The couple also highlighted ongoing issues with the house, including:
- Missing roof edge pieces.
- Uneven subfloor causing gaps in the flooring.
- Improperly installed siding.
- Multiple colors and textures of caulk in the kitchen backsplash.
- Structural issues with the walls.
Financial Constraints: The couple feels trapped in their current home due to low interest rates during the pandemic, making moving financially unfeasible.

In light of these circumstances, the couple is left wondering: Are they the assholes for refusing to return the water fountain after four years, especially given the poor condition of the home they purchased?

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 agreement that the fountain in question is legally the property of the current owners due to the significant time elapsed since the sale, which qualifies it as abandoned property. Users emphasize the importance of documenting the situation, advising the owners to secure the fountain and communicate clearly with the previous owner about their rights, while also warning against any potential trespassing. Overall, the consensus is that the current owners are justified in keeping the fountain and should take necessary precautions to protect their property.

Verdict: NTA

Expert Advice for Resolving the Conflict

Conflicts over property can be emotionally charged, especially when they involve family dynamics and past relationships. Here are some practical steps for both the couple and the previous owners (PO) to consider in resolving this situation amicably:

For the Current Owners

Document Everything: Keep a record of all communications with the PO regarding the fountain. This includes emails, texts, and any notes from phone conversations. Documentation can be crucial if the situation escalates.
Secure the Fountain: If you haven’t already, consider securing the fountain to prevent any potential disputes over its condition or ownership. This could involve moving it to a less accessible area of your property.
Communicate Clearly: Reach out to the PO to explain your position. Emphasize that the fountain has been on your property for four years and that you consider it abandoned. Be polite but firm in your stance.
Offer a Compromise: If you feel comfortable, consider offering a compromise, such as allowing the PO to visit and see the fountain or discussing a potential buyout if they are still interested in it.
Consult Legal Advice: If the situation escalates, it may be wise to consult with a legal professional to understand your rights and responsibilities regarding abandoned property.

For the Previous Owners

Reflect on the Situation: Understand that the couple has had the fountain for a significant amount of time. Consider whether it is worth pursuing the fountain further or if it may be better to let it go.
Communicate Respectfully: When reaching out to the couple, express your feelings about the fountain being a sentimental item. Acknowledge the time that has passed and their efforts in maintaining the property.
Consider Alternatives: If the couple is unwilling to part with the fountain, think about whether there are other ways to honor the anniversary gift, such as finding a similar fountain or creating a new memory in another way.
Be Open to Dialogue: Approach the conversation with an open mind. Be willing to listen to the couple’s perspective and find common ground that respects both parties’ feelings.

Conclusion

Conflicts over property can be challenging, but with open communication and a willingness to understand each other’s perspectives, it is possible to reach a resolution that respects both parties. Whether you are the current owners or the previous owners, taking a step back to assess the situation and approach it with empathy can lead to a more amicable outcome.