Tenant left car behind.

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Tenant left car behind.

Wilson Bunton
Real Estate Agent · Erie, CO · Member since 2016 · 30 posts · 1 vote

So after finally getting a problem tenant out of my single family they left a car behind in the driveway.  I didn't have to evict them, they left on their own after I served a pay or quit notice.  I'm ready to rent the unit out again now, other than this car parked there.  What should I do about this?  Call a tow service and pat to have it hauled away?  Call the sheriff and see what they can do?  If it matters this house is in lenawee county michigan near adrian.

Thanks

Wilson

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Michaela G.
Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
9y

The police can't help you, because it's on private property. All they can do is run the tag or vin to see if it's stolen. Since you say that it's your tenant's they can't help you. 

If it's a newer model, then a bonded towing company will tow it on their dime and they will go through all of the legal steps to notify the owner and after a certain amount of time they'll auction it off. 

If it's an old junk car and they don't see themselves profiting, they will not pay for towing, but will tow, if you offer to pay. 

Now, if the car happened to have somehow ended up on the street (maybe it rolled out of the driveway in the middle of the night), then the police will call a tow truck.

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  • Joseph Abbott
    Tulsa, OK · Member since 2016 · 119 posts · 23 votes
    9y

    Hello Wilson. If I were you, I would call the local police department and tell them your situation. If you don't get an answer from them, I would check the Secretary of State.

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2016 · 374 posts · 189 votes
    9y

    Call the cops.  Get a report.  Tow the car.

    0Reply
  • Michaela G.
    Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    9y

    The police can't help you, because it's on private property. All they can do is run the tag or vin to see if it's stolen. Since you say that it's your tenant's they can't help you. 

    If it's a newer model, then a bonded towing company will tow it on their dime and they will go through all of the legal steps to notify the owner and after a certain amount of time they'll auction it off. 

    If it's an old junk car and they don't see themselves profiting, they will not pay for towing, but will tow, if you offer to pay. 

    Now, if the car happened to have somehow ended up on the street (maybe it rolled out of the driveway in the middle of the night), then the police will call a tow truck.

    18Reply
  • Kyle Coleman
    Baton Rouge, LA · Member since 2014 · 58 posts · 25 votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Michaela G.:

    The police can't help you, because it's on private property. All they can do is run the tag or vin to see if it's stolen. Since you say that it's your tenant's they can't help you. 

    If it's a newer model, then a bonded towing company will tow it on their dime and they will go through all of the legal steps to notify the owner and after a certain amount of time they'll auction it off. 

    If it's an old junk car and they don't see themselves profiting, they will not pay for towing, but will tow, if you offer to pay. 

    Now, if the car happened to have somehow ended up on the street (maybe it rolled out of the driveway in the middle of the night), then the police will call a tow truck.

     I love this answer! 

    6Reply
  • Wilson Bunton
    OP
    Real Estate Agent · Erie, CO · Member since 2016 · 30 posts · 1 vote
    9y

    Thanks for the advice all.  I think I'll call and check with the county sheriff and see if they have advice, but it sounds like calling a tow company and having them take it away will be the best bet.  Fortunately it is a newer good condition car so hopefully they'll take it on their dime.

    0Reply
  • Michaela G.
    Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    9y

    Be aware that it can't just be any towing company, but has to be a bonded one.

    1Reply
  • Brian Illingworth
    Howell, MI · Member since 2016 · 12 posts · 0 votes
    9y
    You just have to call your local tow company and tell them you need a car towed off of your property. Make sure it's on your property and not on the street in front of the house that doesn't count. I would call a reputable tow company because after they tow it they will end up calling the local PD to have the car entered into the Secretary of State database showing the car was towed. The tow company will hold the car for at least 30 days and try to contact the owner to come claim the car. If they fail to contact them the tow company will start the procedure to take title on the car and then they will sell it or junk it for a fee.
    0Reply
  • Matthew Paul
    Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    9y

    Car ? What car ?   I think the original poster is mistaken they left no car .        

    On a different note , I just took a van to the crusher and got  $ 5.00 per hundred pounds , it came to $  260 

    1Reply
  • Brandon Hicks
    Investor · Avilla, IN · Member since 2013 · 796 posts · 769 votes
    9y
    Like the above poster mentioned, I've heard of cars rolling into the street at times. Maybe you'll wander over there tomorrow and it'll have happened😊
    0Reply
  • Jim Shepard
    Investor · Edwardsville, IL · Member since 2015 · 432 posts · 481 votes
    9y
    Check the tag to see if it is current. If it isn't the city may tow it off on their dime. The crap tenants leave behind!
    0Reply
  • Kim Meredith HamptonBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · St Petersburg · Member since 2014 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y

    @Wilson Bunton please tag the cat with a tow sticker giving XXX amount of days, then call your local tow company. You've abided by the laws and the Its off your plate and the tow company can deal with it

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  • Wilson Bunton
    OP
    Real Estate Agent · Erie, CO · Member since 2016 · 30 posts · 1 vote
    9y

    I did to have the thought of it making its way into the street, but this property is on a street that is only one car width wide, so if it did make it onto the street it would need to make itself quite a ways down to the next road, to not block all other traffic.

    0Reply
  • Joe SplitrockPro Member
    Moderator
    Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes
    9y

    @Wilson Bunton I am going to guess if it is a newer car and they were not paying rent to you, that they have stopped making car payments. Look for car dealership stickers or license plate identification. Call the dealership and let them know a deadbeat tenant left the car on your property and see if they are actively trying to repo it. Otherwise follow your state laws for abandoned vehicles. If they owe you rent and the vehicle is paid for, you could potentially take the title to the vehicle as compensation. There is a process for that on abandoned vehicles. Just google it and read up on how it works in your state.

    2Reply
  • Franklin Romine
    Visalia-Fresno, CA · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 863 votes
    9y
    Wrap a chain around the axle and pull it to the street with a truck, then report to police department. The vehicle will be gone in 5-10 business days. Franklin
    0Reply
  • Deanna McCormick
    Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9y

    I would think you'd treat same as any other property left per your state landlord laws, Send them a notice that the car has to be removed within 30 days. Post unauthorized vehicles notice on the property will be towed, good idea for any rental property. 

    Find out if abandoned property left after 30 days can be sold to recover damages. 

    Send them their move out security deposit statement with the fact the car has to be removed.

    Ask cops to verify owner. If you can get inside, find insurance company information and any other info and contact them regarding abandonment of the car. 

    1Reply
  • Josh Smith
    Investor · Troy, MI · Member since 2016 · 77 posts · 45 votes
    9y

    I would call the city, you will have to pay for it but they will get it out of there, especially if there are no plates on the car

    0Reply
  • Christine Mwai
    Investor · Alabaster, AL · Member since 2016 · 280 posts · 88 votes
    9y

    What does your state say about abandoned tenant property?.. If within the law and it's a piece of junk, sell it to one of those companies whose ads I see saying, " we buy junk cars, no title or keys required".

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    Real Estate Agent · Grand Rapids, MI · Member since 2014 · 493 posts · 200 votes
    9y

    A few ways to handle this in Michigan:

    • @Michaela G.'s way--which is done a lot...but the police and neighbors frown on it.
    • Place a sticker on the window giving them so long to remove it and, if they don't, have it towed.
    • If they up and moved in the night without notice and didn't effectively give you possession, i.e. return the keys, etc. and left valuable personal possessions, you could do an eviction if they fail to pay the rent that is due coming up and then take possession of  the vehicle (get advice from an attorney for this one).
    1Reply
  • Account Closed
    Real Estate Agent · Grand Rapids, MI · Member since 2014 · 493 posts · 200 votes
    9y

    Oh...don't call the City...it could end up as a violation on your property--even if you called it in. : (

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    Investor · Columbus, OH · Member since 2016 · 139 posts · 136 votes
    9y

    I had this happen at our property in Ohio. Call the city code enforcement officer, or the local police. They will come and red tag it, and they have 48 hours to remove the abandoned vehicle. If it isn't removed, the police will come tow it.

    0Reply
  • Patrick Smith
    Investor · Summerfield, NC · Member since 2016 · 11 posts · 5 votes
    9y
    I had the same problem. My management company handled the legal stuff. I got a scrap metal company to pick it up and I made $200 for selling the metal. I don't remember the legal details but they we're evicted and given so many days to remove personnel belongings.
    0Reply
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