Man leaves stuff in friend's garage for 18 months, demands $800 compensation when they get rid of it after warning: 'He said he was figuring things out'

Author image for Ally Perry
Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Jun 3, 2026 7:45 PM EDT

A friend's house is not the same as a permanent storage solution.

Nothing will make you come face-to-face with the sheer quantity of stuff you have like being between addresses. Even those who consider themselves to be minimalists usually collect all manner of belongings that they just can't bear to part with when the time comes to move out of a place. If you don't have another fixed home to transport these things to, that leaves you with the dilemma of figuring out where they are going to be in the meantime.

For most people, storing their things with a friend or family member who has some free space is a no-brainer. It is usually free and easy to access. The downside is that sooner or later, people get tired of housing these belongings. If their owner doesn't get their act together, their motivation to continue the favor is going to run out.

While it isn't something that is accessible to everyone, it is often a better idea to just rent a storage unit. So long as you keep up with the payments, you are less likely to face an awkward conversation with somebody who is tired of not being able to move around their house without bumping into things that they don't own.

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  • A representation of a small garage with white siding attached to a house
    via Dmitry Spravko

    A representation of a small garage with white siding attached to a house

  • A guy was frustrated with his friend after he asked to store some of his furniture in his garage while he figured out where he was going to live. He agreed, believing that this would be a temporary arrangement, but it ended up staying there for about a year and a half.

    He knew that this couldn't continue, and after not hearing from his friend for six months, he texted him to tell him that he had 30 days to collect his things, or he was getting rid of them. No action was taken, but this friend was threatening serious action once his stuff was disposed of.

  • Location: Illinois. About two years ago a friend asked if he could leave some furniture in my garage while he sorted out his living situation. I said fine, assumed it would be a few weeks.
    via Post-Modern_Trash
  • It wasnt a few weeks. I texted him twice in the first year asking when he was coming to get it. He said he was still figuring things out. I left it.
    via Post-Modern_Trash
  • Around the eighteen month mark I hadnt heard from him in about six months. The furniture was taking up most of my garage. I sent him a text saying I needed the space back and that if he didnt make arrangements to collect within 30 days I was going to get rid of it. He read it and didnt respond.
    via Post-Modern_Trash
  • I disposed of everything last month. Donated what was usable, threw out the rest.
    via Post-Modern_Trash
  • He contacted me last week. Said he had been planning to come get it and that I had no right to touch his property. He wants $800 for what I threw out.
    via Post-Modern_Trash
  • I have all the text messages including the 30 day notice. What I dont know is whether giving notice by text is sufficient legally, whether his leaving it on read has any relevance, and what my actual exposure is if he pursues this.
    via Post-Modern_Trash
  • A representation of two men carrying boxes and furniture into a large storage room with a staircase
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    A representation of two men carrying boxes and furniture into a large storage room with a staircase

  • BoysenberryDue3637 It's interesting that he wants money right after the 30 day notice and disposal. Like he was waiting for this or something. This really sounds like he is now trying to scam you out of $800.
    via BoysenberryDue3637
  • RudiaLane Two years of free storage is already more patience than most people would have given him.
    via RudiaLane
  • Wonderful-Bass6651 When you text someone the "come get it or I'm getting rid of it" message and they don't respond that is entirely on them.
    via Wonderful-Bass6651
  • Charupa- He was just waiting for you to dispose it to hit you up for money. You did him a big favor with free storage, gave notice, his loss.
    via Charupa-
  • rich90715 This should be considered abandoned property after you gave him 30 day notice to come pick up his property and he didn't respond.
    via rich90715
  • LovethisLittlePlace Helped him move, and stored his stuff for 18 months... The nerve of this person asking for $
    via LovethisLittlePlace
  • Sea-Way-2914 He already proven he has no follow through, who cares what he says?
    via Sea-Way-2914
  • Kyoto-Ghost Save every text, especially the 30 day notice and the fact that he read it.
    via Kyoto-Ghost
  • CodEvening3775 This was his way of proving your friendship means nothing to him. Don't sweat it.
    via CodEvening3775
  • grlnxtdr_xoxo That's exactly what would have happened to him at a storage unit. His fault.
    via grlnxtdr_xoxo

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friendship garage possessions entitled people
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