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Can the FBI search a house that isn t owned by anyone without a warrant?

Just a random curiosity. Can the cops or the FBI search a house that isn t owned by anyone except maybe the bank? Like it s a house for sale and is owned by a bank, what are the laws for searching it? I can t find a satisfactory answer by Google searching or reading warrant laws.

10 Answers

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  • 4 years ago

    No, they still need a warrant, because of course someone owns it. A bank is an owner.

  • 4 years ago

    They can search without a warrant, if it is an emergency. Like if they are on a hot chase, and the evidence is going to disappear very soon. Or if there is a public danger -- the house is going to blow up and they need to find the bomb.

    The house IS owned by somebody .. the bank.

  • 4 years ago

    The FBI can search when they want, where they want, with or without a warrant.

    Whether they can use it in court is another question.

  • 4 years ago

    Every house is owned by someone, even if it's the bank. Even if the bank doesn't realize they own it, it's still owned by someone. In any event, a search warrant would still be needed.

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  • 4 years ago

    All houses are owned by someone. If it's owned by the bank, banks are corporations and the same rules apply to corporations.

    To search a house the police need either a search warrant, or the owners permission. An interesting thing about permission. It can be given before or after the fact. So if there's some type of emergency, the police can enter knowing that the bank will give permission.

  • Bob B
    Lv 7
    4 years ago

    If the property is owned by anyone, then the authorities cannot enter it without a warrant (except in certain emergency circumstances, such as if they believe on reasonable grounds that someone inside is in immediate danger).

    If it was owned by the bank, then the bank has the same rights as a person living in the house would- they would have a right to refuse the police or FBI entry unless they had a warrant. The police would need to give the warrant to the bank in this case.

    If the house was literally owned by nobody at all, it would be a public place and hence anyone could enter freely at any time.

  • 4 years ago

    There would have to be an emergency to allow a search without a search warrant.

  • Anonymous
    4 years ago

    I don't think so

  • ?
    Lv 7
    4 years ago

    Every house is owned by someone.

  • Tigger
    Lv 4
    4 years ago

    To enter a private residence a warrant is required.

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