It’s not often that you’ll have to deal with an abandoned car on your Perth property, but when this unfortunate event arises it can be especially annoying, especially over a long period of time. Perhaps you’ve woken up to find a random vehicle parked on your front yard, or a friend has left their car in your garage and you’ve lost contact.
Whatever the reason, you’ll probably want the vehicle gone sooner rather than later, and that’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you get rid of it ASAP.
What Steps Do I Need To Take To Dispose Of An Abandoned Car?
If You Know The Owner
- Negotiate with the owner: Your first point of action is to reach out and ask the owner to collect the car within a period of time. Ensure that you document any communications in case you need to refer to them for future legal action.
- Provide formal notice: If an agreement cannot be reached, formal notice needs to be given to the car owner regarding the intention to dispose of the car. This can be done by completing the form in Schedule 2 of the Disposal of Uncollected Goods Regulations 1971 (WA) and delivering it to the owner. We recommend asking for legal guidance before sending the notice.
- Court intervention: In the event that the notice has been served, and no response is received within a month, an application can be made to the Magistrates Court of WA for an order to sell or dispose of the car. Legal consultation is recommended before moving forward, and the necessary forms can be obtained from the Magistrates Court of WA website. Once you obtain the order you can then sell your car to a car disposal company such as Perth Car Buyer.
What If You Don’t Know The Owner (Or Can’t Make Contact)
- Notify The Commissioner Of Police: If the whereabouts of the car owner are unknown, or you cannot contact them, notice of intention to dispose of the car must be given to the Commissioner of Police. Legal advice is important before proceeding with this step, and the required form is outlined in Schedule 2 of the Disposal of Uncollected Goods Regulations 1971 (WA).
- Court intervention: In cases where notice has been served, and no response is received within a month, application can be made to the Magistrates Court of WA for an order to sell or dispose of the car. Legal consultation is recommended in such situations, and the necessary forms can be obtained from the Magistrates Court of WA website. Similarly, once you obtain the order you can then sell your car to a car disposal company such as Perth Car Buyer.
Get Your Car Removed For Free
If you’ve gotten confirmation to sell the vehicle then we are more than happy to help with our free car removal service. Just give us a call and we’ll take it from there. We also have a guide to help you determine how much you could get for your car.
FAQ
What if the vehicle is located on public property?
If the abandoned car is on public property, then you should contact your local council. Once contacted they will then be responsible for the removal of the vehicle on your behalf. Check your local council regulations, as details of the removal procedure may vary between councils.
What if the vehicle is suspicious?
If you have any suspicions about the vehicle or believe it may have been used for criminal activity make sure to contact the police.
What if the vehicle owner is deceased?
If the vehicle owner is deceased and you believe you have a claim to the vehicle you must submit a Declaration of Deceased Estate – Form E172 to the DVS to transfer the ownership to you before you can dispose of it.
Resources
Magistrates Court of Western Australia
Disposal of Uncollected Goods Regulations 1971 (WA)
Disclaimer: The above should only be taken as general advice and should not be taken as legal advice.