Found an abandoned vintage car, how can I claim it.

[The Modfather]

So I do urbexing and found a nice little find in the middle of nowhere, the owner of the property went crazy and was sectioned years ago. He since then has passed away with no relatives or friends. The house and car have been abandoned since the 90s and he passed away in the early 2000s. Would it just be as simple as towing her away and applying for the logbook?

[Shuvi McTupya]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Would you say that in this situation it was theft, and if so, from whom?

[craigjm]

Shuvi McTupya said:

Would you say that in this situation it was theft, and if so, from whom?

How do you know he has no relatives?

[anonymous-user]

Yep, theft. The property is owned by whomever is the heir of the deceased. If there is no heir, the property defaults to the Crown. It can’t lawfully be grabbed by any random passer by.

[xjay1337]

IANAL
but

The way would be to apply for logbook
When the 21 days or whatever has passed and the owner hasn't responded then you will get the logbook in your name.

Doesn't actually make the car yours, just the registered keeper (versus owner, there is a difference)

Now if it's a 1965 MGB then it's unlikely that anyone will really go chasing after it - however a Ferrari 250GTO...? Hmm.
Just be aware that it's not actually "yours".

[Shuvi McTupya]

craigjm said:

How do you know he has no relatives?

Well, obviously I don't. We only have the OP's words for that.

[Swervin_Mervin]

Breadvan72 said:

Yep, theft. The property is owned by whomever is the heir of the deceased. If there is no heir, the property defaults to the Crown. It can’t lawfully be grabbed by any random passer by.

But, if no one knows it's there, is it really there at all?

[Pothole]

xjay1337 said:

IANAL
but

The way would be to apply for logbook
When the 21 days or whatever has passed and the owner hasn't responded then you will get the logbook in your name.

Doesn't actually make the car yours, just the registered keeper (versus owner, there is a difference)

Now if it's a 1965 MGB then it's unlikely that anyone will really go chasing after it - however a Ferrari 250GTO...? Hmm.
Just be aware that it's not actually "yours".

Neither example is a vintage car.

[craigjm]

Shuvi McTupya said:

craigjm said:

How do you know he has no relatives?

Well, obviously I don't. We only have the OP's words for that.

Sorry quotes the wrong post meant to quote the OP

[the tribester]

OP, you grab the car, I'll claim the house.
Finders keepers!

[Graveworm]

xjay1337 said:

IANAL
but

The way would be to apply for logbook
When the 21 days or whatever has passed and the owner hasn't responded then you will get the logbook in your name.

Doesn't actually make the car yours, just the registered keeper (versus owner, there is a difference)

Now if it's a 1965 MGB then it's unlikely that anyone will really go chasing after it - however a Ferrari 250GTO...? Hmm.
Just be aware that it's not actually "yours".

To get a V5 you fill out a V62. there you sign to say that you are the keeper, which the OP is not .. and you have to give a reason why you don't already have a V5. Unless the OP says I have found the car on an estate and I want to appropriate it then its getting messy down the line.

[Pica-Pica]

Graveworm said:

xjay1337 said:

IANAL
but

The way would be to apply for logbook
When the 21 days or whatever has passed and the owner hasn't responded then you will get the logbook in your name.

Doesn't actually make the car yours, just the registered keeper (versus owner, there is a difference)

Now if it's a 1965 MGB then it's unlikely that anyone will really go chasing after it - however a Ferrari 250GTO...? Hmm.
Just be aware that it's not actually "yours".

To get a V5 you fill out a V62. there you sign to say that you are the keeper, which the OP is not .. and you have to give a reason why you don't already have a V5. Unless the OP says I have found the car on an estate and I want to appropriate it then its getting messy down the line.

Anyway, keeper does not necessarily equal owner.

[Pica-Pica]

Breadvan72 said:

Yep, theft. The property is owned by whomever is the heir of the deceased. If there is no heir, the property defaults to the Crown. It can’t lawfully be grabbed by any random passer by.

That would be my initial take on the situation.

[Cold]

Get the V5, tow the car home and spend £50k making it a perfect example. Then, 18 months after it's back on the road, give it back to owner when they come knocking on your door to claim it.
You'll have some good memories.

[elanfan]

Seemingly the OP seems to know some facts about the previous owner. With that in mind why not try to make contact with the estate? The Land Registry or the Probate Office might be a start. If these produce nothing see if the estate is mentioned on the Governments Bona Vacantia lists of unclaimed assets. Might be worth a bit of effort?

[Haltamer]

Enquire at your local caravan site; I'm sure there will be someone there able to advise you on the swiftest method to have it on a flatbed transit sans any VIN plates

[carinaman]

Breadvan72 said:

Yep, theft. The property is owned by whomever is the heir of the deceased. If there is no heir, the property defaults to the Crown. It can’t lawfully be grabbed by any random passer by.

Just go for the house. Best v Chief Land Registrar and others.

[anonymous-user]

That is a case about adverse possession, which requires years of open occupation of land.

[Derek Smith]

To be theft, the property must have an owner.

Abandoned property has no owner by definition. If you have a reasonable, and supportable, belief that the owner of the vehicle abandoned the vehicle then you may take possession of it.

There are some civil caveats re property. These may or may not have an effect on whether you can be sued. I have no idea.

There is a classic case where a woman threw away a present she had been given by her boyfriend. It landed in a garden. A neighbour saw the contretemps and liberated said item. The neighbour was charged with theft but the defence of no owner was upheld.

[macushla]

xjay1337 said:

IANAL
but

The way would be to apply for logbook
When the 21 days or whatever has passed and the owner hasn't responded then you will get the logbook in your name.

Doesn't actually make the car yours, just the registered keeper (versus owner, there is a difference)

Now if it's a 1965 MGB then it's unlikely that anyone will really go chasing after it - however a Ferrari 250GTO...? Hmm.
Just be aware that it's not actually "yours".

Is that timescale real? Asking for a friend and a few other caveats, but I know people who go on holiday / work away for a few months at a time. I’d like to grab their cars if possible.