Finders keepers may not apply, as a young Christchurch couple fight to keep $230,000 they found in their roof.

Open Justice reported that an electrician found five sealed plastic bags of cash, which the couple reported to authorities.

Police took out a civil court case under the Criminal Proceeds Recovery Act, believing the cash is the product of crime - from previous gang links to the property.

AUT law expert Warren Brookbanks says normally in these kind of cases, the couple would be the rightful owners.

"But this is in a different league, because this is a significant sum of money - which is clearly up there for no good purpose."

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