ACT hotel lost property law: Uncollected Goods Act 1996
Published October 2026 • 4 min read • Uncollected Goods Act 1996 (ACT)
How long must a hotel keep lost property in the ACT?
Under the Uncollected Goods Act 1996 (ACT), goods of no value (net value $20 or less) can be disposed of after 7 days. Low-value goods (over $20 to under $500) can be disposed of after 1 month, and goods of significant value ($500 or more) go to public auction after 3 months. For most goods, the owner must first be asked in writing to collect within 7 days.
When goods become uncollected
Goods are uncollected when they are held without any agreement about collection and either they are perishable or of no value, in which case they are uncollected straight away, or the owner has refused or failed to collect after a written request (sections 5 and 8).
The request must be in writing and state a brief description of the goods, the address and times they can be collected, that they may be disposed of if not collected within 7 days and any costs the owner must pay first. It goes to the owner's last-known address, or is given by public notice if no address can be found (section 7).
The Act excludes unclaimed prizes, unclaimed moneys and cheques (section 3(2)).
Disposal periods by net value
Net value is the market value of the goods less the reasonable costs of selling them, including removal, storage and advertising costs (dictionary). All periods run from when the goods became uncollected (section 19):
- Perishable goods (animals, perishable foodstuffs or articles that are or could become noxious or a danger to public health): sale, appropriation or destruction at any time (section 20).
- No value (net value $20 or less): sale, appropriation or destruction after 7 days (section 22).
- Low value (net value over $20 but under $500): sale, appropriation or destruction after 1 month (section 23).
- Significant value (net value $500 or more): public auction after 3 months (section 24). The possessor must give public notice of the auction at least 7 days before it (section 25).
Personal documents
Personal effects other than personal documents can go to public auction after 3 months (section 21(1)). Personal documents, such as birth certificates, passports and other identity documents, bank books and financial statements, photographs and licences, must be returned to the issuing authority. If that isn't practicable, they can be disposed of in another lawful way, but not in a way that makes the owner's personal information public (section 21(2) to (4)).
Owner claims, costs and leftover money
An owner can claim the goods before they are disposed of. The hotel may first require payment of its reasonable costs of complying with the Act, its storage and maintenance costs and any lien or unpaid rent (section 26). The owner can ask the Magistrates Court to review those costs (section 27).
From a sale, the hotel can keep its reasonable costs and any lien amount. The balance is payable to the Territory. An owner can claim it from the Minister within 3 years (sections 30 and 31). The hotel is protected from legal action for taking, holding or disposing of goods under the Act (section 32).
How Homebound handles this for ACT properties
Homebound gives every logged item a timestamped history — intake photo, guest notification, courier collection — so a ACT property always has the record this guide describes. Guests enter their own shipping address and pay for courier return themselves, and it costs the hotel nothing.
Frequently asked questions
Does the ACT require a written request before disposing of lost property?+
Not for perishable goods or goods of no value, which are uncollected straight away. For other goods, yes. The request must be in writing and give the owner 7 days to collect (sections 5, 7 and 8).
Does the ACT Act have hotel-specific rules?+
No. It applies to any person in possession of goods that belong to someone else, so a hotel follows the same rules as any other business.
What about valuable items like jewellery or electronics?+
Unclaimed prizes, unclaimed moneys and cheques are excluded from the Act (section 3(2)). Other items with a net value of $500 or more go to public auction after 3 months, with at least 7 days' public notice (sections 24 and 25). Check the net value after selling costs, not the retail price.
Disclaimer: This guide is general information, not legal advice. It summarises the Australian Capital Territory uncollected goods legislation and is sourced from the relevant consumer affairs publications and the legislation itself. It is correct at the time of writing (October 2026). Laws and guidance change, so check the current Act on the official legislation site before you act on anything here.
Nothing in this guide is advice for your property. Before you dispose of, sell or hand over any guest's belongings, speak to a lawyer or your state consumer affairs office.
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