Can I get rid of ramps my ex installed on my house? Do I have to reimburse her?

[Jmontoya]

What is the name of your state?




My ex girlfriend's son is disabled so he needed ramps installed before they moved in with me. She decided she wanted to pay to have custom wooden ramps installed that match the style of the house instead of cheaper removable ramps.

Now that we've broken up and they've moved out she wants me to reimburse her for the cost of the ramps cause now she needs the money. They cost almost 15k. I have seen the invoice. She thinks I should pay because I agreed to her having them installed and because they're an improvement to the value of the property.

I don't even think of them as an improvement and want to have them ripped out because I prefer the stairs. Can't I just get rid of them? Or will that run into issues for me later?

Btw we didn't have a lease or anything written about this sort of stuff.

 

[Jmontoya]

What is the name of your state?




My ex girlfriend's son is disabled so he needed ramps installed before they moved in with me. She decided she wanted to pay to have custom wooden ramps installed that match the style of the house instead of cheaper removable ramps.

Now that we've broken up and they've moved out she wants me to reimburse her for the cost of the ramps cause now she needs the money. They cost almost 15k. I have seen the invoice. She thinks I should pay because I agreed to her having them installed and because they're an improvement to the value of the property.

I don't even think of them as an improvement and want to have them ripped out because I prefer the stairs. Can't I just get rid of them? Or will that run into issues for me later?

Btw we didn't have a lease or anything written about this sort of stuff.

forgot to add that we're in California

 

[quincy]

What is the name of your state?




My ex girlfriend's son is disabled so he needed ramps installed before they moved in with me. She decided she wanted to pay to have custom wooden ramps installed that match the style of the house instead of cheaper removable ramps.

Now that we've broken up and they've moved out she wants me to reimburse her for the cost of the ramps cause now she needs the money. They cost almost 15k. I have seen the invoice. She thinks I should pay because I agreed to her having them installed and because they're an improvement to the value of the property.

I don't even think of them as an improvement and want to have them ripped out because I prefer the stairs. Can't I just get rid of them? Or will that run into issues for me later?

Btw we didn't have a lease or anything written about this sort of stuff.

Do you own the house or are you renting a house?

Can the ramp be disassembled and given to your ex-girlfriend so she can reassemble and install it elsewhere?

Did you and your ex-girlfriend have anything in writing that would commit you to paying for any part of the ramp?

A home’s value is not improved with the installation of a ramp.

 

[Zigner]

I would consider sending her proper notice to come and retrieve the ramps before you dispose of them as abandoned property.

 

[Jmontoya]

I do own the house.

No idea how easy it would be to disassemble and reassemble the ramps. She probably wouldn't be able to because they live 6 hours away now. They also moved into an apartment so they don't need them or have a place to put them.

We have nothing in writing about the ramps at all.

 

[Jmontoya]

I would consider sending her proper notice to come and retrieve the ramps before you dispose of them as abandoned property.

Just to be clear exactly would I have to do to send proper notice?

 

[Zigner]

Just to be clear exactly would I have to do to send proper notice?

Research what kind of notice needs to be given to former tenants who abandoned property.

Also, because of the amount of money involved, it might be wise to at least have a short sit-down with an attorney. Yes, it'll cost you a little bit of money, but it will probably be worth it.

 

[Zigner]

Here's a starting point: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=1983.&lawCode=CIV

 

[LdiJ]

I do own the house.

No idea how easy it would be to disassemble and reassemble the ramps. She probably wouldn't be able to because they live 6 hours away now. They also moved into an apartment so they don't need them or have a place to put them.

We have nothing in writing about the ramps at all.

Be certain that it's in your best interest to remove the ramps before you actually do so. While you might prefer the stairs, if you have any reason why you might be selling in the relatively near future (or the future that would include the useful life of the ramps) I personally would prefer leaving them in place to widen the pool of prospective buyers. Also, how long have the ramps been in place? A long time, or is this one of those situations where she made that investment and the relationship fell apart in a short time?

 

[Jmontoya]

Be certain that it's in your best interest to remove the ramps before you actually do so. While you might prefer the stairs, if you have any reason why you might be selling in the relatively near future (or the future that would include the useful life of the ramps) I personally would prefer leaving them in place to widen the pool of prospective buyers. Also, how long have the ramps been in place? A long time, or is this one of those situations where she made that investment and the relationship fell apart in a short time?

They've been there a bit more than 2 years.

I don't plan on selling, but either way I don't think they're worth keeping.

 

[LdiJ]

They've been there a bit more than 2 years.

I don't plan on selling, but either way I don't think they're worth keeping.

Well, that is your decision. In my area they would be considered to be an asset. I do see why your ex might feel entitled to reimbursement after making such a large investment into your home, but I would agree with the others that it's unlikely she could prevail in a suit unless you are in an area where they would be considered to be a significant asset. Just don't rip them out until you are certain it won't come back to haunt you.

While you don't want them and don't think she could use them, the possibility exists that she could sell them to someone to recoup some of her investment. You would hate to have a judge rule against you because you jumped the gun and ripped them out too soon.

 

[Jmontoya]

Well, that is your decision. In my area they would be considered to be an asset. I do see why your ex might feel entitled to reimbursement after making such a large investment into your home, but I would agree with the others that it's unlikely she could prevail in a suit unless you are in an area where they would be considered to be a significant asset. Just don't rip them out until you are certain it won't come back to haunt you.

While you don't want them and don't think she could use them, the possibility exists that she could sell them to someone to recoup some of her investment. You would hate to have a judge rule against you because you jumped the gun and ripped them out too soon.

Someone posted a link above that says I need to wait 18 days after giving notice so I'll just make it a month to be on the safe side.

 

[LdiJ]

Someone posted a link above that says I need to wait 18 days after giving notice so I'll just make it a month to be on the safe side.

Its not just waiting, after giving notice. You need to give her a date where they have to be out or you will remove and destroy them, and then, give yourself a bit of extra time to be safe. I would give her 30 days, at least, and then give yourself and extra week or two. Honestly, I would probably give her 60 or 90 days. It is not like the ramps are causing you any problems. We are coming up on the holidays and winter and the timing isn't good to sell them right now.

 

[Zigner]

Because of the value of the ramps, the OP can't just destroy them. He must attempt to sell them. The OP would be wise to have a short discussion with an attorney.

 

[LdiJ]

Because of the value of the ramps, the OP can't just destroy them. He must attempt to sell them. The OP would be wise to have a short discussion with an attorney.

I agree that a short consult with an attorney is probably in his best interest.