Lost property is waiting for its owner: suitcases, smartphones and more in Helmstedt!

Lost property is waiting for its owner: suitcases, smartphones and more in Helmstedt!

In Helmstedt there will also be a lot to report in the first half of 2025 when it comes to lost and found objects. The city recently reported on the lost property that was handed in between January and June of this year. What is particularly striking is the large number of personal items waiting for their rightful owners.

In total, no fewer than twelve different objects were brought to the lost property offices in the first six months of 2025. Among the strange and everyday finds are two suitcases, three backpacks and even a video camera. Some personal valuables such as six watches, sunglasses, a sweater, a bracelet and eight smartphones also found their way to the town hall. Cash was handed in four times, as well as a wallet and two rings. The lost property can be picked up during opening hours at the Citizens' Office on Holzberg, as long as those collecting them provide precise descriptions of the lost objects, as regionalheute.de reports.

How does pickup work?

For many people, losing something can be an unpleasant surprise. But in Helmstedt there are clear rules for dealing with lost property. Anyone looking for a lost object must contact us with a detailed description of what they found. For cash, the number of notes and the possible location of loss should be stated. It is important to identify the owner within a certain period of time, because the lost property will not be released without a clear identification.

Valuables that are worth ten euros must be handed over by the finders, which is a given for many people. The lost property offices are required to retain items for at least six months. If the rightful owner cannot be found, the city or municipality will declare ownership of the found item. The long waiting times can mean that a finder can claim ownership of their find after this period has expired, an aspect that is anchored in lost property law, as kanzlei-herfurtner.de explains.

Finder's fee and rights

Anyone who gives money to a lost property office or returns the lost item to the owner in another way may be entitled to a finder's fee. In principle, this is five percent of the value up to 500 euros and three percent for the value above that. However, there are exceptions, particularly for civil servants and others whose duties require the proper handling of lost property.

The law also regulates how to deal with lost property on public transport. And if someone finds an animal, there are special processes, such as dropping it off at the animal shelter, that can take care of reporting and storing the animals. In all cases, the following applies: Handing it over to the responsible municipality is the first step to ensure that the lost property laws are complied with, as explained on stadt-helmstedt.de.

Overall, it shows that the lost and found system works in Helmstedt and offers citizens a good chance of finding their lost treasures. Whether for example the suitcases that were found or the many smartphones - the return is imminent in the hands of those who find them and follow these clear steps.