How to proceed with abandoned cars on property

Question

How do you proceed with abandon cars on property? I evicted a commercial tenant at the beginning of December and she signed a paper stating she was abandoning everything in the unit. She left four cars on the property, she stated at the beginning of the month she would be removing them in a couple days and they’re still there since they are part of what she abandon are they considered mine?

Account Closed · Answer

I bought a house at the foreclosure sale in May, it had a 2009 Toyota Yaris in the garage. I had to apply for a surety bond, then register the car with the DMV with a transfer of ownership form to get a title so I could get a key from the Toyota dealership. This process took 5 months but I sold that car with a clean (almost) title for $4,000 profit last month after new tires, oil change and a detailed cleaning🤑 Talk to your real estate attorney and if they approve the sale then go you your local car registration place and figure out what they require to get the title in your name. It’s worth the hassle.

Michael Gansberg · Answer

@Alexandra Isenhour - I had this situation once. No towing company would help, the police told me I had to mire myself in paperwork, and I kinda threw up my hands, since the former tenant(who I was on good terms with) kept saying, "I'm working on it, I'll get it done," etc. It's a little 2 family house I still own- the new tenants really wanted that parking spot. So they came up with a creative solution(btw- I'm 100% confident that those tenants, whose names I've forgotten, are outside the statute of limitations, which is why I'm sharing this story for the first time.)

The tenants literally lifted the car off the ground, moved it into the middle of the street, and left it there. Lol. It was towed pronto, and that's the last I've heard of it. Also- I can't say for certain that the above is what happened- I heard it through the grapevine 😁

Blair Gummere · Answer

Just push them to he curb and they'll disappear

John Bartlett · Answer

@Alexandra Isenhour

very state specific. Get with a real estate lawyer that deals with storage units. They should have this one down for you to a tee.

If it's commercial. It's not residential and you can lien everything in the unit, including vehicles. Each state is different and different headache for vehicles, and you won't know until you ask someone who deals with this on a regular in your state. Some states, it would be a lot better for you, if the abandoned vehicles, some how made their way off your property magically. Of course don't break the law. Smaller owner operators and cash. .

This lawyer does 100% storage in all 50 states and he should be able to get you an answer.

Self storage legal dot com

Jeffrey J. Greenberger, Attorney at Law

GREENBERGER AND BREWER, LLP

7750 Montgomery Road

Cincinnati, Ohio 45236

(513) 698-9350

Good luck!

Bruce Woodruff · Answer

You need to check your local laws first. And give a written notice. A quick call to your attorney might be in order to make sure you don't get into trouble.... :-)

Henry T. · Answer

I hope you correct your future lease to say "no more than one car on the property, and must be up to date and licensed".

I'd say there's a good chance someone walking by will release the handbrake and roll them into the street. The city will pick them up and send a bill to your tenant.

Jon Thompson · Answer

Glad to find this post.  Just closed on a single family home we bought at the tax auction.  Car in the garage, and old (probably not worth all that much) boat in an old barn. I'm in NY state so I'm sure there'll be some hoops to jump through!

Nathan Gesner · Answer

Call the Department of Transportation (DOT) and explain the situation. They can give you instructions and forms.

In my state, I have to start by posting notice in the paper. Then I fill out a form with DOT and provide proof of the newspaper notices. DOT will attempt to contact the registered owner and get them to remove the vehicles. If there's no response, then they declare them abandoned and you can file for title as the new owner. Once you have the new titles, then you can sell the cars.

If the person removes the cars, you will have to go after them privately for unpaid storage fees or whatever.

Chris Seveney · Answer

@Alexandra Isenhour

We checked to see if they were titled or registered. If not we called a tow company and had them hauled. If so we gave the owners time to come get it or it would be towed as they were on private property

Richard F. · Answer

Aloha,

You can probably just check with a local towing company that regularly services large lots, where they have Tow Zone signs posted. They would know the signage requirements, and if they are legit, they will not tow something improperly. They will also likely clarify what "abandoned" means, in their world. For example, here, if plates and safety check are current, they will tow anything off of your property at no cost. If tags or safety check are expired, they treat as "abandoned", and charge $500 to remove it to their storage yard, where they process it per local law, publishing notice, etc. and ultimately scrapping for metal value if that is all it is worth.

How to proceed with abandoned cars on property

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