§ 39-14-108 — Pawned or conveyed rental property

(a) With respect to the theft of rental property, evidence of any of the following shall create an inference of intent to deprive the owner of the rental property, as provided in § 39-14-103 : (1) The person leasing or renting the property has pawned or otherwise conveyed the property; (2) The person leasing or renting the property pursuant to a written agreement presents identification to the owner at the time of the execution of the written agreement which bears a fictitious name, telephone number or address; or (3) The person leasing or renting the property pursuant to a written agreement designating the principal location at which the property is to be used, and specifying the date and time when the same is to be returned, fails to return the property to the owner on or before such return date and within ten (10) days after the date of mailing of written notice to return the property sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, deliver to addressee only, and the property is not to be found at the location designated in the lease or rental agreement as the principal place of use of the property. (b) Any leased or rented tangible personal property that has been sold, pawned or otherwise disposed of by the person renting or leasing the property during the period of the lease or rental agreement shall be returned to the owner of the property if the property is properly marked and identified as leased or rental property and is no longer needed as evidence against the person, and if the owner of the property can, by serial number, manufacturer's identification number or other sufficient means, demonstrate ownership of the property. (c) (1) Each owner of rental property shall conspicuously mark and identify the property as rented or leased property. The markings shall include, but not be limited to, the name and address of the rental company and the serial number of the property. (2) Subdivision (c)(1) does not apply to motor vehicles, as defined in title 55.

Legislative History

Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1; 1990, ch. 796, § 1; 1992, ch. 992, § 1; 1995, ch. 482, §§ 1, 2.