What are the legal steps for disposing of an abandoned vehicle in NM?

Full question:

As a landlord, in NM, what must I do legally to dispose of abandoned vehicle.

• Category: Abandoned Property
• Date: 04/07/2025
• State: New Mexico

Answer:

In New Mexico, if you need to dispose of an abandoned vehicle, follow these steps:

1. **Storage Requirement**: You must store the vehicle for at least thirty days if the rental agreement has terminated due to abandonment. During this time, you must keep the vehicle safe.

2. **Notice to Resident**: You are required to send a written notice to the resident about your intent to dispose of the vehicle. This notice must be delivered personally or sent via first-class mail to the resident's last known address. If the notice is returned undeliverable, you should also send it to any other address provided by the resident, such as their workplace or a family member's address.

3. **Access for Retrieval**: The resident can retrieve the vehicle at any time before the specified disposal date. You must provide reasonable access for them to do so.

4. **Disposal**: If the resident does not claim the vehicle by the date in the notice, you may dispose of it. If the vehicle is valued at less than one hundred dollars ($100), you can dispose of it without further notice. If it is valued at more than one hundred dollars, you may sell it and must send any proceeds, minus costs, to the resident.

5. **Storage Fees**: You may charge reasonable storage fees for the time the vehicle is stored.

For more detailed information, refer to New Mexico Statutes 47-8-34.1 regarding the disposition of property left on the premises.