possesion?

[tuscan_thunder]

Quick query:

An acquaintance deposited a half-complete rally car in my shed whilst he moved garage premises in May 2003. He was set to remove the car in September 2003.

I have heard nothing from him and the car is now just sitting in my shed.

A friend reckons that, as it has been there for so long, I am entitled to claim it as mine.

Anyone know anything about this? don't want to phone DVLA just yet in case I look a right plank.

thanks in advance

[randlemarcus]

As this was for a mate I presume you didnt get him to read your Terms and Conditions for your storage empire?

If you can't raise him try a couple of third parties to try and get in touch with him. If you are going to sell it as is, you could reasonably be expected to retain the bulk of the cash for him when he shows up,minus reasonable expenses. If you are going to complete the project, ditto, except I would suggest cost plus 10% and a good hourly rate out of the end total.

If you dont have the V5, you'se bu99ered anyway...

[annsxman]

tuscan_thunder said:

A friend reckons that, as it has been there for so long, I am entitled to claim it as mine. Anyone know anything about this? don't want to phone DVLA just yet in case I look a right plank. thanks in advance

No you're not, unless you had a deal which said that he will pay you £x for storage and he hasn't paid in which case you may have the right of sale to meet your unpaid storage fees. Even then lack of the V5 as someone has pointed out will make it difficult to sell unless you sell it as bits. Basic point is that ownership doesn't change through passage of time and possession, unless it's land and you complete 13 years uninterrupted occupation.

[Dwight VanDriver]

Sale of possessions left is covered by Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977.

have a look at:

http://tinyurl.com/94iu

which will give you an idea of what to do.

Remember if you make the sale any monies left over after deduction on your expenses reamins the property of the guy leaving the vehicle.

DVD

[puggit]

Plenty of V5s for sale on Ebay

[tuscan_thunder]

ok, thanks. I think my mate was thinking it would work like an abandoned car on my land.

there was no exchange of money just a 'stick it in the shed til you've cleared out your garage'.

[wiggy001]

Didn't someone have a TVR left on their land a while back? Do a search and find out how he resolved that one...

[tuscan_thunder]

ah mr dokic, the world's leading authority on legal matters!