'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.

[murraymints]

surprised at the police's attitude as it is not legally parked if untaxed/uninsured...would expext it to be seized ?

[murraymints]

expect ^^..try them again...or ask local council what their stance is on dumped vehicles ???

[Baldric]

By the look of it, it's parked on private property so tax and insurance will not be an issue as far as the Police are concerned

[Barmaid]

Do you have a Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration yet?

[237SJ]

Yes Barmaid.

[Barmaid]

You might want to take advice on making a claim through the County Court for trespass with injunctive relief that he remove the car and not return it.

[237SJ]

Thanks for the replies. Barmaid - would that take long? The house is completing in a couple of weeks. I have no name or address for him - the contact has been through notes left on the windscreen. That`s why I phoned the DVLA because the police said they might be able to contact him on my behalf but the DVLA have no details on it. The police said that I can remove it if I have given notice which I have and have proof of him being in receipt of notice as I have photographed his notes. If I had my way, I would get one of those towing trucks that lifts up the front of the car so that the steering lock is not needed and dump it on the road for him to take the consequences.

[wolf63]

Is there any pattern to when he is there? You could use a CCTV type devise so that you at least know who you are dealing with.

You might be able to find out an address this way.

Or you could put up a poster on a lamp-post with his picture on it telling him to move his fekking car.

[237SJ]

wolf - I was talking to one of the other garage users last night and apparently he is a pleasant enough lad who works on cars. It`s been there for about 3 months apparently. I have the horrible feeling that he will take the parts that he needs from it and leave me with the cost of removing it. Who ever he is, he sounds quite naive.

[ladybirder]

Shouldn't it be SORNed? Isn't it an offence if it isn't? How infuriating for you 237.

[Smowball]

I don't know if you can still do this but a few years ago someone kept parking outside my husbands then office and blocking a driveway. He eventually wrote to DVLA (I think) and had to pay something like £5 for certain exceptional circumstances and they wrote back with the address of the bloke.

[hc4361]

The DVLA say they have no trace of the vehicle

[hc4361]

What is the make and model of the car?

[murraymints]

if it is declared off road should it not be in garage ?

[Smowball]

But the car exists so how can DVLA have no knowledge? How odd.

[ummmm]

It has to be sorned etc if off road. My car failed it's MOT so I parked it in the alley at the back of my house. It was still insured but the tax had ran out and we got a visit saying tax it or scrap it. Didn't get in trouble though.

[237SJ]

I`ve just had a thought. I`ve an appointment with my solicitor about the house sale on Monday. I might get him to write a note with mention of tresspass and county courts and put that on the windscreen to put the frighteners on him.

[Barmaid]

Get him to mention costs too!!!

It could take a while - however, if it is urgent, you might get a hearing pdq. I dont issue proceedings so I am not entirely sure of the procedure. Your solicitors may be able to help.

[EdmundD]

Had a similar instance a couple of years ago. Van parked in garage forecourt area. Police not interested unless it was on the road. Eventually contacted Haringey council who said they would trace the owner and give him 24 hours notice to move or the vehicle would be taken and crushed. Vehicle disappeared.

[237SJ]

Thanks Barmaid