Did I steal a futon?

[Skyblue]

My old landlord claims that I stole a futon when I moved out. I doubt that the item is his to begin with, because it was the only item in the flat when I first moved in, and probably belonged to the previous tenant. The futon had to be dismantled to be removed, so was probably for this reason left in place. He claims its worth $200, but I found futons in similar conditions for $50. What should I do?

 

[jacksgal]

It was in apartment and thus did not belong to you. The Landlord can choose to sue you however he can ony get the depreciated value of it, not cost of new one

 

[jharris352]

Your thought process is interesting. The one point you failed to mention is that while is "might" not have been his it DEFINITELY isn't yours. You don't get to take something just because you don't think it belongs to him. It doesn't belong to you that's all you need to know. I would return it before someone files a police report and you get into real trouble.