'dumped' Car On Private Property

[237SJ]

My late Mum`s house has a garage in a block and a parking space at the end of the block which is hidden from view from the entrance to the garages. Someone has left a car in the parking space. I looked on the gov site and the car is untaxed. I phoned the police and they are not interested in it as far as it being stolen, etc. The DVLA say they have no record of it. I left a note on the windscreen to say that if the car is not removed, I will have it towed away. I have done this a couple of times because the notes were being removed. Eventually, the 'owner' left a note telling me not to remove the car as it was his and he lives around here. I couldn`t believe the audacity. Anyway, I left another note telling him that if the car was still there when I got back from holiday (yesterday) I would remove it. Needless to say, it`s still there with another note from the 'owner' who tells me that he is the owner as his name is on the log book and the DVLA are lying. His latest excuse is that he parked it there to stop people fly tipping on the spot and he needs some parts from the car before he removes it. I have been leaving notes since the middle of August so he has had plenty of time. The house is sold and will complete at the end of the month and I have told him (via yet another note) that it MUST be removed as I can`t sell the house with his dumped car on the property. Where do I stand legally if he won`t remove it? A tow away person told me that the window and steering lock would have to be broken to take the car away which could have legal implications.

[chrissa1]

This chap is taking the p***. He couldn't give a fig about what he is doing and the trouble he is causing. After all, it's not parked outside, his, house.

I would get it shifted, personally

[cassa333]

I know that if I came home from holiday and found a strange car on my drive and OH and neighbours didn't know who it belonged to We would get a group of strong friends and move it out.

It would probably end up on the restricted yellow lines outside just for good measure. Mind you TBH we never get any parking enforcement so it could be months before anyone notices.

I honestly fail to see how the law can allow this to happen,and the land owner have to go to such lengths to get it removed. Whatever happened to an Englishmans home is his castle and possession is 9/10ths and all that.

I think once you engage in swapping words you somehow allow this to happen.

[Barmaid]

Because it was on their land, Ummm. If it is on their land it needs to be taxed and insured - else they view it as abandoned. If it wasnt on their land it was none of their business.

[ummmm]

Our alley is marked as private. The two houses either end have their fronts doors in the alley so I assumed it was private.

[Baldric]

Ladybirder that was aimed at TWR, you nipped in before I could Submit,
as usual he has failed to read/understand the post ;o)

[TWR]

I understand what avenue I would take baldric.

[Baldric]

Maybe, but you appear not to understand where the vehicle is,
and what you propose doing would be illegal.

[TWR]

You may find this very hard to believe, I can read & did understand what 237J has posted, nice to see your back.

[Barmaid]

It may be private in the sense that there is no public right of access but still owned by the council. If it is privately owned, normally the council will wash their hands of it. And if so, I would have told them to sling their hook!!!

Admittedly the Council do have powers over privated owned premises but in these circumstances I cannot see what powers, if any would apply.

[ummmm]

The fact is it wasn't taxed and they accepted my plead of ignorance (it was insured) and they just told me to sort it.

In 237's circumstances I would confront the man.

[EDDIE51]

Pump the front tyres up and then 'bump' it out of the way, 20 yrds is no problem. We 'bump' cars 50 and more yards out of the car park no problem.

[ladybirder]

It seems to me the police act if they feel like it. I have told this before on here that when somebody left their car on my private parking space I phoned the police and they asked for the reg number. They then told me they had the owner's mobile number and would call him. The car was removed by the owner in a matter of minutes.

[EDDIE51]

If it is not registered with the DVLA just phone one of the 'we collect any scrap car' places in the local paper and get them to come and pick it up.
Once it is gone just tell the owner ,if he ever reappears, that you know nothing about it.

[237SJ]

Eddie - I already have a towing man lined up but he said that because there is an owner involved and the car would have to be damaged then we would be on very dodgy ground. I also spoke to a tower last night who just happened to be in my road and he said the same thing. He said you could end up in court for damaging the owners property.

[EDDIE51]

^^ If it is not registered with the DVLA how are they going to trace the owner?

[TWR]

Would this be on the same lines? you have been away for 2 weeks, came back to find squatters in your house, what would you do?

[EDDIE51]

I have had several old dumped cars removed by a scrap man. They do not want the log book, just a signature to say you have given permission for the car to be taken for scrap. I signed the docket as
' PeeCee Fortynine' 999, Letsbe Avenue
They didn't give a damn , in fact the guy said 'you can sign as 'Mickey Mouse for all I care'

[EDDIE51]

TWR if you sell it as scrap metal it goes straight into the crusher. 10 mins after the car arrives at the scrap yard it is an unrecognizable heap of crushed metal.

[TWR]

With respect to your answer Eddie they don't, they remove the Oil / Fuel / G/Box oil, the car is stacked & it could take a week / fortnight to crush, it depends on the amount of space at the docks, that's where the most scrap cars end up, ( I've transported them)