§552 — Title 40 Public Buildings, Property, and Works | U.S. Code

Summary

The Administrator of General Services can take control of abandoned or unclaimed things found on federal property and decide when the Government becomes the owner. The Administrator may use, transfer, or get rid of those items. If the old owner files a proper claim within three years after the Government became the owner, the owner must be paid either the money from selling the item minus care and handling costs, or if the item was used or given away, its fair value when the Government took ownership minus those costs.

Title 40, §552

Public Buildings, Property, and Works — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The Administrator of General Services may take possession of abandoned or unclaimed property on premises owned or leased by the Federal Government and determine when title to the property vests in the Government. The Administrator may use, transfer, or otherwise dispose of the property.

(b)If a former owner files a proper claim within three years from the date that title to the property vests in the Government, the former owner shall be paid an amount—

(1)equal to the proceeds realized from the disposition of the property less costs incident to care and handling as determined by the Administrator; or

(2)if the property has been used or transferred, equal to the fair value of the property as of the time title vested in the Government less costs incident to care and handling as determined by the Administrator.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 55240:484(m).June 30, 1949, ch. 288, title II, § 203(m), formerly § 203(l), 63 Stat. 388; redesignated § 203(m), Aug. 1, 1955, ch. 442, 69 Stat. 430.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2006—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–284 substituted “(a) Authority To Take Property.—The Administrator” for “(a) Authority To Take Property Administrator”.

§552 Abandoned or unclaimed property on Government premises