Hi Bill,
I know this thread's probably long forgotten by now, but as you mentioned being interested in the position outside the U.S. here's my 2 cents.....
The law here in England is pretty much the same as Tom outlined. Once apparatus has been installed it is considered to be part of the building, and cannot be removed without the owner's permission. Perverse as it may sound, one could technically be charged with "criminal damage" for attempting to recover fittings in this way.
The only legal recourse is to take the matter to court. That means paying court application fees, etc., woth no guarantee of getting anything back at the end of it all.
