Beyond Bending Tell You How
Are you tired of seeing an abandoned car sitting on your private property? Perhaps you’ve inherited a property with an old car left behind, or a tenant left their vehicle behind when they moved out. Whatever the case may be, you want to get rid of the eyesore and reclaim your space. But how do you go about doing it legally and efficiently? In this blog post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about getting rid of an abandoned car on private property.
What is an Abandoned Car?
Before we get into the specifics of how to remove an abandoned car, let’s define what it is. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, an abandoned vehicle is a car that has been left unattended on public property for more than 48 hours or on private property for more than 24 hours without the owner’s consent.
The Dangers of Abandoned Cars
Abandoned cars can pose several hazards to both the property owner and the community. Here are some of the dangers associated with abandoned cars:
- They can attract rodents and other pests that can damage your property.
- They can leak hazardous fluids like oil, gas, and antifreeze, which can contaminate the soil and groundwater.
- They can be a fire hazard, especially if they’re parked near flammable materials like dry grass or leaves.
- They can lower property values and make the neighborhood look unattractive.
How to Get Rid of an Abandoned Car
Now that you understand the dangers of abandoned cars, let’s dive into how to get rid of them. Here are the steps you should follow:
1. Determine Ownership
The first step is to determine who owns the car. If the car is registered, you can find the owner’s name and address by contacting your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If the car isn’t registered, you can try to find the VIN (vehicle identification number) and run a VIN check online to see if you can find the owner’s information.
2. Contact the Owner
Once you’ve determined who owns the car, you should try to contact them and ask them to remove it from your property. You can send a certified letter or email to their address, explaining that the car is parked on your property without your consent and that you’re requesting them to remove it within a certain timeframe.
3. Check Your Local Laws
If the owner doesn’t respond or refuses to remove the car, you should check your local laws to see what your options are. In some states, you can have the car towed away immediately if it’s been abandoned for a certain period of time. In other states, you may need to file a police report or go through a legal process to have the car removed.
4. Hire a Towing Company
If you’re allowed to have the car towed away, you should hire a reputable towing company to do it for you. Make sure you choose a company that has experience with removing abandoned cars and that is licensed and insured. You should also get a written estimate before they start the job so that you know how much it will cost.
5. Store the Car
Once the car has been removed from your property, you’ll need to store it somewhere until the owner claims it or it’s sold at a lien sale. You can store it on your property if you have the space, but you’ll need to make sure it’s in a secure location where it can’t be accessed by the public. If you don’t have the space, you can store it at a towing company’s impound lot or a storage facility.
6. Sell the Car
If the owner doesn’t claim the car within a certain timeframe (usually 30 days), you can sell it at a lien sale. This is a public auction where the car is sold to the highest bidder, and the proceeds are used to cover the towing and storage fees. You’ll need to follow your state’s specific laws for lien sales, so make sure you do your research before you proceed.
Conclusion
Removing an abandoned car from private property can be a complicated and time-consuming process, but it’s necessary to protect your property and the community. Remember to follow the steps outlined above and to check your local laws to ensure you’re doing everything legally. If you’re unsure about any part of the process, it’s always best to consult with a legal professional.
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Learn how to legally and efficiently get rid of an abandoned car on private property with these six steps. Protect your property and the community by following these guidelines.
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abandoned car, private property, ownership, contact owner, local laws, towing company, store car, lien sale.
