ExH left his car in my garage

Lilacbella

My exH moved out 6 months ago. We are divorced and I have bought him out. His car is still in my garage, and I don't have a key. Even if I did I believe the steering lock is engaged, and as it's in a garage block even if I got in to the car I couldn't steer it to move it out any further than just outside the entrance. I have asked him 3 times to come and move it (by email) and have recently sent a recorded delivery letter telling him I am going to get it towed out onto the street if I don't hear from him in 28 days. That letter is still sitting at his local post office, and anyway even local towing companies are telling me I am limited because of the steering lock. Does anyone have any advice on how to get it moved? Can the police help? It's my garage, and I want to put my own car in it!
Thanks.

DUTR

I'd find out if you can legally do what you are hoping to do.
Via someone professionally qualified to do so, and not by some internet strangers, there must have been some semi agreement when he left, what did your solicitor suggest?

macman

Should be possible to lift it at the rear wheels and then winch it back onto a low loader or tow truck (assuming its parked nose-in and the front wheels are fairly straight).
Is it out of road tax yet? If so, it needs to be SORN'd if off the road-you could apply pressure by hinting that you will have to dob him in for that, which will result in a fine to the registered keeper.

arcon5

What value are we talking here?
If you can reverse a truck up to the garage doors a local one man band recovery bloke will just winch and drag on and take to the scrap yard. Had them dragged with brakes locked and steering jammed before

DUTR

arcon5 wrote: »

What value are we talking here?
If you can reverse a truck up to the garage doors a local one man band recovery bloke will just winch and drag on and take to the scrap yard. Had them dragged with brakes locked and steering jammed before

Will or can? will they just move any car on the say so of another?
If the car is sorn'd and moved to the public highway or compound, who is responsible for any additional charge the registered keeper or the OP (or party acting on their behalf) ?

Warwick_Hunt

Lilacbella wrote: »

My exH moved out 6 months ago. We are divorced and I have bought him out. His car is still in my garage, and I don't have a key. Even if I did I believe the steering lock is engaged, and as it's in a garage block even if I got in to the car I couldn't steer it to move it out any further than just outside the entrance. I have asked him 3 times to come and move it (by email) and have recently sent a recorded delivery letter telling him I am going to get it towed out onto the street if I don't hear from him in 28 days. That letter is still sitting at his local post office, and anyway even local towing companies are telling me I am limited because of the steering lock. Does anyone have any advice on how to get it moved? Can the police help? It's my garage, and I want to put my own car in it!
Thanks.

Not with this problem.

marlot

If you want to get it out without damaging it, I'd use a pair of car dollies https://www.screwfix.com/p/hilka-pro-craft-400kg-wheel-dollies-2-pack/77671

But not sure on the legal aspects - and presumably its not taxed or insured, so it can't be left on the road.

forgotmyname

Start charging a weekly rentm, when it builds use the small claims if he doesnt respond you may get to dispose of it.

missile

I would:
Break in to MY garage and change the lock
push the car out
if the handbrake is on, jack it up and drag it out using a trolley jack / dollies
secure the garage

Bigphil1474

OP, be careful if you stick it on the road - I'm assuming the registered keeper is your OH at your address. If there is any enforcement action you may end up having to argue as to who owns it, given it is registered at your address (?). Your OH may just say that it belongs to you - if he can't be bothered sorting it out after 6 months, he obviously doesn't want it back.

elsien

Get the garage lock changed so he has to deal with you if he wants it back.
Check if you can legally tow him onto the street, or tell him how much you're going to start charging for storage.

Send another letter by first class post and proof of postage. Send from two different post offices if you want to be sure. Keep copies. Should it ever come to court, or there is any query, they will be deemed to have been delivered the day after posting. And he can't refuse to accept them in the same way that he can recorded.