Do we have any landlords on here?

[andymc]

Hi all, I have 2 cars at the body shop and it appears he hasn't been paying his rent and they have padlocked the unit with both my cars inside, whilst I have sympathies with the landlord whats the legal position on getting my cars back, the painter wants shot with st for letting this happen, all help appreciated



ta

Andy

[Sochaux]

I’d be straight there with an angle grinder chopping the padlock off and driving my cars out!

[andymc]

thats criminal damage

[Keep it stiff]

If the landlord has exercised peaceable re entry a notice should be displayed giving the landlord contact detail. It may well be of course that landlord has taken a less formal approach. Either way I suggest you contact the landlord, if you are still in contact with the body-shop guy you could ask him for the contact detail, failing that, if the unit is in a terrace I suggest you ask neighbours, the landlord may be the same, or you could do a Land Registry search. The landlord has no right hold your cars.

[AlexC1981]

Buy another identical padlock and replace it. Try to be there so you can snigger when they get confused as to why their key/code no longer works.

Sorry.....unhelpful I know...

[andymc]

the letting agent is away on holiday but the staff said it was fine to contact him, I have emailed him but no joy, I would imagine its the actual owners I need to speak with

[dazwalsh]

Surely thats theft, your cars should have been removed before it was padlocked, ring the police and tell them your son or daughters epi pen is in the glove box and you need access now

[andymc]

hopefully getting access nest week

[williaa68]

It’s certainly not theft (no intention to permanently deprive) but it could be tortious interference. It will be easier to do things by consent but if you can’t and you have legal expenses insurance (or the shells are v valuable) worth a letter to the registered owner of the premises demanding access w/in, say, 48 hours otherwise you can seek a court order.

[andymc]

thanks

[Dixy]

If there is a letter box worth putting a letter through saying you are the owner of the cars and you would like to collect them at the earliest.
When I have had tenants vacate unexpectedly, getting the unit cleared and ready for a new tenant is my priority, having a contact for you would help both them and you.

[Dixy]

If there is a letter box worth putting a letter through saying you are the owner of the cars and you would like to collect them at the earliest.
When I have had tenants vacate unexpectedly, getting the unit cleared and ready for a new tenant is my priority, having a contact for you would help both them and you.

[anonymous-user]

Midnight raid with new padlock will save a tonne of hassle, small bolt cutters available in Homebargins for £10 will do the job

[ReaperCushions]

mgsontour said:

Midnight raid with new padlock will save a tonne of hassle, small bolt cutters available in Homebargins for £10 will do the job

Yep, totally not going to get in trouble trying that idea.

[mikal83]

let me get this correct, you have your 2 cars in a shop and the tenant has been a naughty boy and hasnt paid his rent. Nobody can touch YOUR cars. Go to the company that locked the gates with paperwork to prove they are your cars and ask that they be released. If they refuse, go to the police and file a complaint.

[Timbuktu]

Sochaux said:

I’d be straight there with an angle grinder chopping the padlock off and driving my cars out!

Same. Leave a new padlock and key for them if you're that worried about criminal damage but I hardly think cutting a padlock to access your own cars is unreasonable, especially as there won't be any proof it was you.

What if he folds his company and sells your cars to pay his debts, would you be sorry you hadn't removed them?

[mikal83]

Timbuktu said:

Sochaux said:

I’d be straight there with an angle grinder chopping the padlock off and driving my cars out!

Same. Leave a new padlock and key for them if you're that worried about criminal damage but I hardly think cutting a padlock to access your own cars is unreasonable, especially as there won't be any proof it was you.

What if he folds his company and sells your cars to pay his debts, would you be sorry you hadn't removed them?

Isnt that called breaking and entering! The fact that 2 cars have gone and they are now parked at your house is a bit obvious what happened eh.

[Timbuktu]

But if there is no proof, the padlock is gone and your face isn't on the CCTV then what's the problem.

Maybe there wasn't a padlock on the gate when he went to get his cars... Cut it off late evening and go and get them an hour later?

[mikal83]

Timbuktu said:

But if there is no proof, the padlock is gone and your face isn't on the CCTV then what's the problem.

Maybe there wasn't a padlock on the gate when he went to get his cars... Cut it off late evening and go and get them an hour later?

Maybe Santa Claus exists...……….

[Timbuktu]

I'm just saying - it's not beyond the realms of possibility is it...

I certainly wouldn't be leaving my car at a garage that is in financial difficulty but if you'd be too scared to cut a padlock off to take what is yours then I'm sorry.