Former homeowner leaves behind fountain in backyard, new owners appalled after he demands it back 4 years later to gift to his wife: 'We're not a storage unit'

Author image for Isabella Penn
Isabella Penn
Apr 1, 2025 3:00 PM EDT

When you move into a new place, sometimes the previous tenants leave behind a few bonus surprises. Maybe it's some decent furniture, unopened cleaning supplies, or leftover paint cans in the garage that will really come in handy for later. It's like a weird little housewarming gift. I live in an apartment, and when I moved in, the previous renter left me... some questionable things. Her old shower curtain, a slightly crusty trash can, and even some feminine hygiene products. Thanks, I guess? I tossed most of it because it just weirded me out. But if she came back years later asking for that stuff back, I'd assume she had lost her mind. If she left it in the first place, clearly it wasn't that important to her. That's what makes this story so baffling. 

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  • After selling their home and leaving behind a decorative fountain, this former homeowner decided that he wanted it back. Four years later. Apparently, the fountain was an old gift to his wife, and he wanted to reclaim it so he could re-gift it for their upcoming anniversary. You can imagine how well that went over with the new owners.

  • Cheezburger Image 10487449344
    via Michael M For Unsplash+

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

    In September 2021, we purchased a home that was built in 2019 & we moved in immediately. The previous owners (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
    via AlyBarner8388
  • now March/April of 2025, 4 years later, and 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 any thing. It's has taken me a while to
    via AlyBarner8388
  • actually get started for multiple reasons. The first year we were settling in. 2nd year I had to learn about the seasons (I'm from FL, we don't have seasons) research native plants, best planting times, amongst other things. The most important
    via AlyBarner8388
  • reason was because 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.
    via AlyBarner8388
  • Cheezburger Image 10487449600
    via Drazen Nesic For Unsplash+
  • 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 co id and again delayed. I dismantled the fountain and relocated it to various places to be worked on.
    via AlyBarner8388
  • 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. Stating 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. PO, states
    via AlyBarner8388
  • 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 they didn't. We're not a storage unit. What claim is it his to come
    via AlyBarner8388
  • 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. Roof is missing edge
    via AlyBarner8388
  • pieces, 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 falling off, 4 different colors & textures of caulk used in the backsplash of kitchen, screws
    via AlyBarner8388
  • popping out of every single wall in the house, studs aren't 16" on center. The list goes on and on. We literally have to rebuild the house from 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
    via AlyBarner8388
  • 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?
    via AlyBarner8388

  • Need a break from the drama? Check out these memes: 22 Homeowner Memes for First-Time Homebuyers Who Finally Made It Out of the Renter Life

  • Viva_Veracity 1906 Consult your local jaws about such a claim - there should be a limit on abandoned property or objects left behind in a property sale, they usually
    via Viva_Veracity1906
  • have a matter of weeks to claim anything and then lose all rights to it. NTA. If he wants it back he can pay storage fees at the going rate, all the way back to date of sale.
    via Viva_Veracity1906
  • CaliforniaJade Since he seems to think it's his property, be sure and have a camera aimed at it so when he comes to take it you'll have photos that it was stolen by him. NTA. 4 years! That's certainly abandoned property at this point.
    via CaliforniaJade
  • RSDCRPSMOM2014 Tell him you threw it away and change the way it looks when you finally put it out. Do something like paint it or find. something that you can use to make it look different.
    via RSDCRPSMOM2014
  • GirthBrooksCumSock You can't really blame them for the state the house was in, surely that would be the inspector to blame as they didn't notice the apparent huge issues. But, that water fountain is yours now. If they want it, charge them a day rate storage fee.
    via GirthBrooksC*mSock
  • FosterPupz No, but you definitely should put that either in the garage or your back yard or it's definitely going missing. And by missing I mean, he'll steal it, but hide it at his seventh cousin twice- removed's house so the police won't find it at his house. What s whack job. NTA
    via FosterPupz
  • becoming_maxine NTA As long as it is currently dismantled, just move the parts someplace inaccessible. If he knocks on your door looking for it just tell him after 30 days. its not his anymore, since it was abandoned, it was removed. Leave it at that.
    via becoming_maxine
  • MoreCleverUserName Tell him he can have it once he pays the bill for storage @ $100 per month for the last 4 years,
    via MoreCleverUserName
  • melvins99 charge him a holding fee equal to the purchase of a new one
    via melvins99

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neighbors house neighborhood garden homeowner new homeowners yard couples property karma entitled people
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