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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to sell my ex husband's tools after four years?

36 replies

CatsangDogs · 29/07/2026 18:11

Hi sorry that I have probably posted in the wrong bit, I was hoping someone might know and save me another trip to a solicitor. My husband left 4 years ago and when he left he didn't clear out the garage with his tools in. My dilema is that I'm quite short of money and I have had someone take a look at some tools and stuff thats in there and I could sell the stuff for about £750. I asked him when he done a bunk years ago to come and get his stuff, I also messaged my MIL to say the same thing when he first left, I gave him 3 or 4 chances to get his stuff but he didn't come. I know that he was constantly looking for tools on marketplace so I'm wondering if he can kick up a fuss if he sees his stuff for sale. I'm not sure what could happen or if the stuff is legally his. Sorry for this rambling post, I hope someone can help.

OP posts:
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chubley · 31/07/2026 20:40

My DH has bought loads of tools etc on eBay. Price varies and you can filter to see sold items and how much they fetched. Quality brands of tools especially if made in the UK will be worth more.

sobby · 31/07/2026 20:07

CatsangDogs · 29/07/2026 18:11

Hi sorry that I have probably posted in the wrong bit, I was hoping someone might know and save me another trip to a solicitor. My husband left 4 years ago and when he left he didn't clear out the garage with his tools in. My dilema is that I'm quite short of money and I have had someone take a look at some tools and stuff thats in there and I could sell the stuff for about £750. I asked him when he done a bunk years ago to come and get his stuff, I also messaged my MIL to say the same thing when he first left, I gave him 3 or 4 chances to get his stuff but he didn't come. I know that he was constantly looking for tools on marketplace so I'm wondering if he can kick up a fuss if he sees his stuff for sale. I'm not sure what could happen or if the stuff is legally his. Sorry for this rambling post, I hope someone can help.

He won’t see the. Items for sale if you swipe that you don’t want friends to see your advert . I do it all the time . Not for any other reason than what I sell is private and friends have wanted my items before very cheaply I give most of my stuff to charity but the odd item that’s worth a lot then I will sell .

Blondeshavemorefun · 31/07/2026 19:57

CombatBarbie · 31/07/2026 18:56

Hes had 4 yrs! I think any court would see that as more than reasonable.

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Yes but you need a written paper trail so for easy sake - contact. Inform and if not gone in 4w then happy days and no comeback

Nearly50omg · 31/07/2026 19:08

if he comes back for his tools after you have sold them and kicks up a fuss tell him you will take the £ off the amount he owes you! 4 years is more than enough time to come collect your shit!

CombatBarbie · 31/07/2026 18:56

Blondeshavemorefun · 31/07/2026 00:38

This

he has to have notice

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Hes had 4 yrs! I think any court would see that as more than reasonable.

hcee19 · 31/07/2026 18:51

When it comes to it, tools aren't as valuable as you think. My df had 3 garage loads of tools, l had people just help themselves to what they wanted and then asked colleges if the wanted any, which they did. The rest went into a skip

caringcarer · 31/07/2026 01:44

Sell them on eBay and charge for postage. He won't know. If he'd wanted them he'd have got them by now. Anything he didn't collect by time divorce through he doesn't want. Make yourself a bit of money.

I'llBuyThatForADollar · 31/07/2026 01:10

Sell it and do with the money as you wish! 🙏❤️

DoYouThinkAbout · 31/07/2026 01:04

I'm in the same situation but 7 years later and his crap is still in the shed and tools taking up cupboard space!

Blondeshavemorefun · 31/07/2026 00:38

PashaMinaMio · 29/07/2026 18:40

There are laws in the UK about disposing of another’s property.

Contact him in writing, email & post, give him a dead line of say 4 weeks and tell him you will dispose of them if he doesn’t collect.

Tell him you consider them to be abandoned.
KEEP copy of whatever you write to him.
Lay the tools out and take photos so you have proof of what you’re storing.

Don’t say you’ll sell in case he comes looking for ££.

This

he has to have notice

AIBU to sell my ex husband's tools after four years?
AIBU to sell my ex husband's tools after four years?
Sparklybanana · 31/07/2026 00:26

I may be wrong but this could be being an involuntary bailee. Its not as simple as just getting rid because you could have to repay the value to him. Please look into this before you do anything with them.

Rondayvu · 30/07/2026 23:50

This is fantastic and absolutely do this. You need the money and he has fucked off so do it and do not think twice op.

jdb9803 · 30/07/2026 21:21

CatsangDogs · 29/07/2026 18:36

Hi @PicaK We are divorced, but I do feel guilty if I sell his stuff. I'm presuming he doesn't want any of it.

He's lucky you aren't charging him storage!

Thepossibility · 30/07/2026 19:32

I'd happily sell them and if he ever mentions them again say I gave them away after 4 years of storing them. I wouldn't be chasing him for a response about them, he abandoned them for years in your home.

hotchocinsummer · 30/07/2026 19:31

I wouldn’t contact him.
sell it, use money on whatever you like.
if and when he contacts you about it, tell him you gave it to his friend who knocked for it 12 months ago.
What friend?
er.. John.
youre not a storage facility op

Surgz · 30/07/2026 19:12

Sell on gumtree once youve contacted him in writing, email, text and given him a deadline

Trallers · 29/07/2026 19:12

You don't even need to specifically say tools if you contact him, just that you're clearing the garage and if there's anything of his in there that he'd like to reclaim then deadline is x date or you'll be disposing of as you see fit.

Besidemyselfwithworry · 29/07/2026 19:10

CatsangDogs · 29/07/2026 19:07

Thank you @Besidemyselfwithworry He is an arse, he left us for someone else and doesn't give a monkeys about our situation. I feel bad but he has a lot more than us.

I think do that but give him just a week to reply about whether he wants them like please confirm within 7 days if you wish to come and collect them otherwise they will be disposed of. If you fail to respond I will assume you don’t want them.

sorry this happened to you there are some horrible people out there.

nocoolnamesleft · 29/07/2026 19:08

Inform him in writing that if he doesn't collect within 28 days, you will be disposing of it.

Original poster
CatsangDogs · 29/07/2026 19:07

Thank you @Besidemyselfwithworry He is an arse, he left us for someone else and doesn't give a monkeys about our situation. I feel bad but he has a lot more than us.

OP posts:
Keroppi · 29/07/2026 19:06

stick it on gumtree Grin

shellyleppard · 29/07/2026 19:03

I would sell the stuff and keep the money. If he asks for his share just tell him its gone on storage fees 😁

Original poster
CatsangDogs · 29/07/2026 19:02

Hi @Meadowfinch yes I did keep it all here incase he came back for it but he never did.

OP posts:
vincettenoir · 29/07/2026 18:59

CatsangDogs · 29/07/2026 18:45

Hi @vincettenoir where else would you sell things? if you don't mind me asking thanks.

I’ve never sold tools but you get them for sale on eBay and Vinted.

Besidemyselfwithworry · 29/07/2026 18:59

Hopefully he won’t reply and you can just sell it all but this covers you x