Is it legal to seize a tenant's abandoned car?

[David Cook]

Hello BP!

A couple of months ago I chose not to renew a problem tenant's lease in one of my multifamily units.  He owes roughly $2,000 in unpaid rent, late charges, and for damage to the property. 

The manager has left several messages asking him to remove his car from the lot and I'm sure I could have the car impounded.  I'm curious if there is a legal means by which I could seize the car and sell it to cover some of the money this tenant owes me?

Does anyone have any experience with this? Thanks in advance!

[Rick H.]

Here's what you'd probably have to go thru:

Either:

1) get a judgment for unpaid rent, record your abstract and then levy on car

2) if vehicle remains on property for period of time, charge daily storage fee and use State DMV steps to seize and sell for unpaid storage charges.

The latter is what towing companies and parking lot operators do to liquidate unclaimed assets.