Car parked at the property purchased at auction

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Car parked at the property purchased at auction

Marita Jojo
Rental Property Investor · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2020 · 116 posts · 23 votes

We recently purchased a property at auction and there is a car parked. Neighbors say it has low mileage car. The owner died 3 years ago with no kids. What can be done ? Anyone has any experience?

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Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
5y
Originally posted by @Frank Chin:
Originally posted by @Marita Jojo:

We recently purchased a property at auction and there is a car parked. Neighbors say it has low mileage car. The owner died 3 years ago with no kids. What can be done ? Anyone has any experience?

 It's considered abandoned property and each jurisdiction has it's own procedure. If it's Philadelphia, see:

Abandoned car procedure

I dealt with this often for me.. screw it.. call a company that wants the car for scraps and does not care about the title.  done deal gone the next day.. 

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  • Frank Chin
    Investor · Bayside, NY · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Marita Jojo:

    We recently purchased a property at auction and there is a car parked. Neighbors say it has low mileage car. The owner died 3 years ago with no kids. What can be done ? Anyone has any experience?

     It's considered abandoned property and each jurisdiction has it's own procedure. If it's Philadelphia, see:

    Abandoned car procedure

    2Reply
  • Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
    Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Frank Chin:
    Originally posted by @Marita Jojo:

    We recently purchased a property at auction and there is a car parked. Neighbors say it has low mileage car. The owner died 3 years ago with no kids. What can be done ? Anyone has any experience?

     It's considered abandoned property and each jurisdiction has it's own procedure. If it's Philadelphia, see:

    Abandoned car procedure

    I dealt with this often for me.. screw it.. call a company that wants the car for scraps and does not care about the title.  done deal gone the next day.. 

    Podcast Guest on Show #222
    JLH Capital Partners51 Review
    WebsiteView Page
    3Reply
  • Frank Chin
    Investor · Bayside, NY · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    5y

    @Jay Hinrichs

    I had dealt with this issue over the years handling rentals, more particularly with cars parking in driveways at my rentals, as well as tenants who moved out of state leaving their cars behind. I first have to all 311 to have a summons issued by the police before a tow company will come to tow it, otherwise, it's a no go. Then the tow company gets to keep the car and charge towing and storage fees from the car owner, or sell it al auction if not claimed. I don't get charged any tow fees. Legally I have to prove I'm the owner of the property, or the lessee of the parking space or driveway.

    I had a funny incident that happened. Rented a garage to the super of a local apartment building. He had a car parked in front of his driveway, called the local police station that's a block away who knew him personally, says he needs a summons issued. He went back to his office to wait for the summons to be issued and also called the towing company to be ready. Half an hour later, he came out and checked, the car was gone. So he proceeded to take his own car out, remembered he left something in his office across the street from the garage, parked his car in front of his driveway, gone in for 15 minutes, came back out and found the summons already issued to his car by the police and the tow guy coincidentally came by quite promptly and towed his car, thinking it's the illegally parked car. How could that happen? Seemed nobody confirmed the plate number or make and model of the car.

    He said he didn't expect the police to act so quickly because it often takes forever. It's an area where parking is difficult so people often park for a few minutes in front of driveways. Normally, you honk your car horn till the offender shows up, often in a few minutes.

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  • Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
    Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Frank Chin:

    @Jay Hinrichs

    I had dealt with this issue over the years handling rentals, more particularly with cars parking in driveways at my rentals, as well as tenants who moved out of state leaving their cars behind. I first have to all 311 to have a summons issued by the police before a tow company will come to tow it, otherwise, it's a no go. Then the tow company gets to keep the car and charge towing and storage fees from the car owner, or sell it al auction if not claimed. I don't get charged any tow fees. Legally I have to prove I'm the owner of the property, or the lessee of the parking space or driveway.

    I had a funny incident that happened. Rented a garage to the super of a local apartment building. He had a car parked in front of his driveway, called the local police station that's a block away who knew him personally, says he needs a summons issued. He went back to his office to wait for the summons to be issued and also called the towing company to be ready. Half an hour later, he came out and checked, the car was gone. So he proceeded to take his own car out, remembered he left something in his office across the street from the garage, parked his car in front of his driveway, gone in for 15 minutes, came back out and found the summons already issued to his car by the police and the tow guy coincidentally came by quite promptly and towed his car. How could that happen?

    He said he didn't expect the police to act so quickly because it often takes forever. It's an area where parking is difficult so people often park for a few minutes in front of driveways. Normally, you honk your car horn till the offender shows up, often in a few minutes.

    tenants items and those left after a foreclosure are somewhat different.. and dont do as I say or do I am just saying how I handled it. 

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  • Marita Jojo
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2020 · 116 posts · 23 votes
    5y

    @Jay Hinrichs this case is different we know the owner is dead for the last 3 years. With the car shortage actually we are in need of a temporary vehicle till we get a new one is there any way we can get to use it ?

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  • Theresa HarrisPro Member
    Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    5y

    If it hasn't moved and it has been sitting there for 3 years, it would probably take a lot to get it going.  Call someone to find out how to have it removed.

    0Reply
  • George W.
    Investor · NJ · Member since 2018 · 869 posts · 921 votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Marita Jojo:

    @Jay Hinrichs this case is different we know the owner is dead for the last 3 years. With the car shortage actually we are in need of a temporary vehicle till we get a new one is there any way we can get to use it ?

    Getting a title to register the car will be difficult. Without the title in hand you wouldn't even really know if the "owner" truly even owned the car or not. he could've borrowed it from a freind or let someone park it there years ago for all you know. You're better off getting rid of it as abandoned property.

    Also getting a car thats been sitting for 3 years running usually is gonna need some work to be road ready. Think bad fuel, dry rotted tires, rusty brakes and brake lines. Mice love to get into parked vehicles like that and love nesting and chewing on things like wiring. Unless the things a 63' vette probably not worth the trouble of titling and fixing it up.

    1Reply
  • Frank Chin
    Investor · Bayside, NY · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    5y

    @Marita Jojo

    Here is a writeup on procedure you have to follow to have the ownership of the abandoned vehicle transferred to you via court order in PA. See:

    Transfer title abandoned vehicle

    Follow page 2, paragraph 3, and the sample court order. You may have to consult an attorney, or "salvor" as owner is deceased, and the case might be in probate court, though unlikely as 3 years have passed. The law requires notification of owner, and notice to last known address. A "salvor", usually a towing company may be best equipped to handle this as they deal with these on a day to day bases.

    1Reply
  • Marita Jojo
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2020 · 116 posts · 23 votes
    5y

    @George W. Got it thanks for your input !

    0Reply
  • Marita Jojo
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2020 · 116 posts · 23 votes
    5y

    @Frank Chin Thanks very much !

    0Reply
  • Joe SplitrockPro Member
    Moderator
    Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes
    5y

    @Marita Jojo follow the links that Frank provided. Buying a property at auction doesn't mean you own the car that is parked on the property. It is not your car and you can't drive it until you have ownership, which means title and registration. 

    0Reply
  • Frank Chin
    Investor · Bayside, NY · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Marita Jojo:

    @Frank Chin Thanks very much !

    Some additional detailed information for deceased owners or owners that cannot be found. See:

    Notifying owners of abandoned cars

    You'll have to send the notices to his last known address, and if you know he's deceased, "The estate of NAME ..." If you receive no answers, there is a requirement you post notices in local publications a number of times, when and where detailed in paragraph 3. Yes, it takes a little work. Theoretically, if there is an estate, the executor or administrator of the estate will respond and have the power to sign over the title. I'm not an attorney but we just concluded an estate where my wife is the executrix.

    This compares to the police just issuing a tickets, let a "salvor" tow it, and be done with it, if all you want is to get rid of it. You'll have to judge whether the condition of the car is worth all this work, legal fees if any, and getting the car into working condition.

    1Reply
  • Seon Gilding
    Real Estate Agent · Philadelphia · Member since 2020 · 25 posts · 6 votes
    5y

    @Marita Jojo I would contact the city (PPA) to have it towed. 

    0Reply
  • Seon Gilding
    Real Estate Agent · Philadelphia · Member since 2020 · 25 posts · 6 votes
    5y

    @Theresa Harris Agreeded

    0Reply
  • John Teachout
    Rental Property Investor · Concord, GA · Member since 2015 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    5y

    I don't know your state's laws but here in Georgia, for an abandoned vehicle there's stuff you file with the magistrate court and can acquire ownership. Then you would need to take that paperwork to the tag office (place where you get license plates) and they can issue you a new title. If the car is decent, it may be worth pursuing. I've gotten cars running that sat for much longer periods of time than that and a new battery and fresh fuel got them running. (may need brake work too). If you have a use for the car, don't just throw it away without at least looking into what it would take to own it. And if you can't get it running, you can sell it for scrap and recoup any investment.

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