If a house is unoccupied, would it be okay to take plants from the yard?

Question

I know I might sound cheap and desperate but I really like landscaping but unfortunately we can't afford good plants for our yard. If there is a house that no one lives in and no one WILL live in, would it be okay to take plants out of the yard?

Answer 1

Landscaping isnt an "desperate" action LOL

Someone owns that house, even tho it is vacant.   That is stealing.    

Also, its not like its something you can hide.

If the owner of the house wonders where the plants went.  He sees holes in his property and the same plants newly planted in yours... well I would have the police out there.

I think that comes under the header of destroying other peoples property, as well as, theft.  

Answer 2

No.  Whether or not the house is occupied, someone still owns it.  That is theft, and can be prosecuted if you are caught.  I had this problem when I was building my house.  I caught a lady trying to steal rocks that were on my lot, which i planned to use for landscaping.  I didn't turn her in, scaring the h**l out of her was justice enough for me.

Answer 3

Houses are always owned by someone, whether a homeowner or bank so you would still be stealing from someone. I would probably ask if you could take the plants (assuming you find someone to ask!) so you don't get caught for stealing. There are always freecycle programs that give away things for free, including plants, if you can't afford them.

Answer 4

Don't do it... that's stealing.

However, go to your local town hall and look up the plat map to find out who the owner of that property is.  There should be a department in the town government that can help you find that owner... they know for tax purposes, and if you were planning on buying that property they'd tell you who owned it.

Contact the owners and ask if you can give some of the plants a good home.  However, they may draw the line and say no if you want to take larger shrubbery or trees.   They may also want you to pay for the plants you take and give them a list of what you've taken.  

Answer 5

if there's no staff in a store, would it be okay to take stuff?  you already know it's stealing, the very fact that you asked the question proves that.  please don't do it.

Answer 6

Go to the city taz assessor's office or look online for your city and it will list who the owner of the house is and thier addres..it will not give  you thier phone number, but once you have thier name and where they live(what city) look it up in the phone book/internet..and give them a call... ask if you can take "cuttings" off of the plants to start your own..they might not mind this for the plants still stay in thier yard..this will be legal and not stealing then..

Answer 7

Lol!! No way!! You're outa ya mind, if you think that.

Answer 8

Only if its night. All the lights in the neighbor houses are off. And you're positive there is no way a security camera can catch you.

Answer 9

It's called stealing and trespassing.......You could get Jail time for taking them

Answer 10

so stealing only counts when someone is watching?

seeds aren't all that expensive.

also, you can buy small plants that will eventually grow to a respectable size.

Answer 11

No it is called theft. Don't do it! Ok this is what you should do

go around your neighbourhood and check out other people's yards. If you see a plant you like go to the door speak to the owner tell them how much you like the plant and would it be possible for them to give you a cutting or some seeds. Most people who love gardening will be delighted to give you a cutting or seeds so that you can start your own plant. They will also be pleased to give you all the information you need to successful grow the plant in your garden.  A cutting by the

way is a piece of the plant that is trimmed off and you can plant it directly into the soil to root or put it in a glass of water until it does start roots and then plant it. This way you get a lot of different new

plants and make friends in your neighbourhood. The next time they have plants they want to get rid of they will think of you and offer them to you. Also check out market gardens and places at flea markets in the spring because a lot of people will sell off cuttings and whatnot very cheap like for 75 cents etc. But please don't steal from other

peoples yards even if you do think it is abandoned.

Answer 12

Don't do it because thats trespassing and maybe the property belongs to the state and if you steal from it you would be in alot of trouble.

PS:LONG LIVE AVATAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...

Answer 13

No, you could still be arrested for stealing if caught. Anyway to ask the owners? I would do that first.

Answer 14

Are they yours?  No. Did you pay for them?  No. Is it your property? No. Are you a desperate idiot? Yes.  

Answer 15

Ohhdear - Is on the right track. I've taken plants from abandoned farm steads churches and grave yards here in the Dakotas, sometimes I find the owner sometimes not. I've used some in my own landscape and some I use in three of the community gardens I've constructed. One I'm working on is a wheel chair accessible garden at our local nursing home. One lady asked where I had found a hollyhock. When I told her she cried and said that was her grandmothers home and she hadn't seen one like it since she was a little girl.  RScott