---
kind: "section"
citation: "40 U.S.C. § 552"
title: "40"
title_heading: "Public Buildings, Property, and Works"
number: "552"
heading: "Abandoned or unclaimed property on Government premises"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/40/552"
units:
  - "Subtitle I — Federal Property and Administrative Services"
  - "Chapter 5 — Property Management"
  - "Subchapter III — Disposing of Property"
---

# §552. Abandoned or unclaimed property on Government premises

- (a) **Authority To Take Property.—** The Administrator of General Services may take possession of abandoned or unclaimed [property](/usc/40/102.md?p=9) on premises owned or leased by the Federal Government and determine when title to the [property](/usc/40/102.md?p=9) vests in the Government. The Administrator may use, transfer, or otherwise dispose of the [property](/usc/40/102.md?p=9).
- (b) **Claim Filed by Former Owner.—** If a former owner files a proper claim within three years from the date that title to the [property](/usc/40/102.md?p=9) vests in the Government, the former owner shall be paid an amount—
  - (1) equal to the proceeds realized from the disposition of the [property](/usc/40/102.md?p=9) less costs incident to [care and handling](/usc/40/102.md?p=1) as determined by the Administrator; or
  - (2) if the [property](/usc/40/102.md?p=9) has been used or transferred, equal to the fair value of the [property](/usc/40/102.md?p=9) as of the time title vested in the Government less costs incident to [care and handling](/usc/40/102.md?p=1) as determined by the Administrator.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 107–217, Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1099; Pub. L. 109–284, § 6(3), Sept. 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 1212.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 552 | 40:484(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”.