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Abandoned Property
How can I legally remove a car left on my property?

How can I legally remove a car left on my property?

Q: Who to call to remove a car from your property?

To remove a car from your property, you should contact your local authorities, such as the sheriff's office or the police department. They can assist you in filing a complaint about the abandoned vehicle. After your report, they may send a towing service to remove the vehicle legally.

Q: Can I sell a car that has been abandoned on my property?

You cannot sell a car that has been abandoned on your property without following legal procedures. First, you must report the vehicle to local authorities and wait for them to assess it. If the owner does not reclaim it after a specified period, you may be able to sell it legally. Check your local laws for specific guidelines.

Full question:

How do I legally remove a car left in my residential property for more than a week? Whom should I contact for its removal? What will happen if the owner comes in between the removal process?

Category: Abandoned Property
Subcategory: Vehicles
Date: 04/07/2025
State: Ohio

Answer:

If a car has been left on your residential property for more than four hours without your permission, you can file a complaint with your local authorities. This includes the sheriff of your county or the chief of police in your municipality or township. Upon receiving your complaint, they may order the vehicle to be moved to storage.

The authorities will typically arrange for a towing service to remove the vehicle and designate a storage facility. If the vehicle's owner arrives after the vehicle is prepared for removal but before it is actually towed, they can pay a fee of up to half of the towing fee to reclaim their vehicle immediately. The towing service must then release the vehicle to the owner upon payment of this fee.

Relevant Ohio statute: § 4513.60 outlines the process for removing vehicles left on private property without permission.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

Can I take ownership of an abandoned vehicle on my property?

You cannot automatically take ownership of an abandoned vehicle left on your property. Instead, you must follow legal procedures, which typically involve reporting the vehicle to local authorities. They will assess the situation and may arrange for towing. After a certain period, if the owner does not reclaim the vehicle, you may be able to obtain ownership through a legal process. Always check your local laws for specific requirements.

Who to call to remove a car from your property?

Can I sell a car that has been abandoned on my property?

What is Indiana state law on abandoned vehicles?

In Indiana, if a vehicle is left on private property without permission, the property owner can report it to local law enforcement. The authorities will then handle the removal process. Indiana law requires that the owner of the vehicle be notified before it can be disposed of. Always verify the latest regulations with local authorities.

What is the CA law on abandoned vehicles?

In California, if a vehicle is abandoned on private property, the property owner must notify local law enforcement. After reporting, authorities will investigate and may arrange for towing. California law requires a notice to be given to the vehicle owner, if known, before disposal. For specific procedures, consult local regulations.