Next Door's Cheek

Herzlos

I'd just tell them that the house is going up for sale so the van needs to be gone by (date maybe 1 week away) or you'll need to get it moved. Offer them whatever assistance they need in moving it.

Hopefully they are just delaying because there's no deadline, but at the same time consult with a lawyer about how to force the removal. 

If you're stuck and the drive is relatively flat and smooth, then you can get wheel dollies to move it around:

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/tools/special-buys/halfords-pair-wheel-dollies---500kg-541782.html

If the handbrake is on then you'd need 2 for the back. If it's in gear and front wheel drive, you'd need another 2 for the front.
Jack a wheel up, place dolly underneath, drop wheel, repeat. But be warned that it won't have any brakes or steering so you'd need to be very careful around slopes. 

 

Albermarle

monkey-fingers said:

Smalltownhypocrite said:

Send them a letter listing a date to have it removed by (say 1 weeks time), if not removed by then it becomes abandoned property and you can report it abandoned and scrap it.

Sadly, that's also not the law in this case.

That's only the case if you don't know whose vehicle it is and you have done everything you possibly can.

OP: Too many barrack room lawyers in here. I'd get proper legal advice. This is a can of worms.

You are correct that the proper way would be to get proper legal advice, and not rely on internet forums for such advice.
However in such a relatively mundane matter, practicalities and the physical reality of an old van on your drive, would probably lend itself to a cheaper solution than employing lawyers.
Like pushing/towing it into the road.
I really can not imagine that the owners of the hot dog van would be given the time of day by the police,or would even bother going to a solicitor themselves.

user1977

Albermarle said:

monkey-fingers said:

Smalltownhypocrite said:

Send them a letter listing a date to have it removed by (say 1 weeks time), if not removed by then it becomes abandoned property and you can report it abandoned and scrap it.

Sadly, that's also not the law in this case.

That's only the case if you don't know whose vehicle it is and you have done everything you possibly can.

OP: Too many barrack room lawyers in here. I'd get proper legal advice. This is a can of worms.

You are correct that the proper way would be to get proper legal advice, and not rely on internet forums for such advice.
However in such a relatively mundane matter, practicalities and the physical reality of an old van on your drive, would probably lend itself to a cheaper solution than employing lawyers.
Like pushing/towing it into the road.
I really can not imagine that the owners of the hot dog van would be given the time of day by the police,or would even bother going to a solicitor themselves.

Hence why this (non barrack room) lawyer enquired about the value of the van, as it doesn't sound like anybody is proposing to scrap something of a value worth litigating over.

Arctos

Not easy if the owner is unwilling to remove the vehicle. After 5 years of sitting idle it may be "abandoned". Removing a vehicle is not straightforward. Simply lifting and shifting may cause damage to the vehicle and the person responsible for moving it could face liability action. Putting it on a public road may trigger local authority interest in moving it, but if the transfer was unauthorised by the owner an offence may have been committed.
It takes time for any legally enforceable request to reach a deadline. 
If the house is in a National Park it may have a bearing.
First action is for the executors to politely request the owner to move it. If this cannot be achieved in a timely fashion it is likely that legal advice will need to be sought, an unretrieved costs of which would be borne by the estate.
Another thought: if the vehicle is leaking oil or any polluting liquid it may be in order, if the owner fails to move it in reasonable time, to report it to the local authority and the local water provider. If a lady from Kew faced a fine for pouring coffee dregs down a drain, leaking toxic fluids from a vehicle would cause concern.

MouldyOldDough

Reporting a Dumped Vehicle

Contact Local Authorities

If a vehicle is dumped on your private property, the first step is to report it to your local council. They are responsible for removing abandoned vehicles from both public and private land. You can find your local council's contact information through the government’s website.

Assessing the Vehicle

Before reporting, determine if the vehicle is indeed abandoned. Common signs include:

• No current vehicle keeper on the DVLA record
• Stationary for a significant amount of time
• Significantly damaged or un-roadworthy
• Missing number plates

Legal Considerations

If the vehicle is confirmed as abandoned, the council must follow specific procedures:

• They must give you 15 days' notice before removal if the vehicle is on private land.
• They cannot charge you for the removal.
• If the vehicle is on a public road, the notice period does not apply.

Alternative Options

If the council does not act, you may need to seek legal advice. You can consider:

• Serving an abandonment notice on the vehicle.
• Consulting a legal professional about the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977, which may allow you to remove the vehicle yourself under certain conditions.

Safety Concerns

If the vehicle poses a danger (e.g., leaking fuel), contact local police immediately. Do not attempt to move the vehicle yourself without proper legal guidance, as this could lead to liability issues.

user1977

What’s the source for that?

MeteredOut

user1977 said:

What’s the source for that?

100% ChatGPT or another AI

But, MouldyOldDough, since you are vouching for the output, can you reference your assertion that "[the council] are responsible for removing abandoned vehicles from both public and private land" please.

MouldyOldDough

MeteredOut said:

user1977 said:

What’s the source for that?

100% ChatGPT or another AI

But, MouldyOldDough, since you are vouching for the output, can you reference your assertion that "[the council] are responsible for removing abandoned vehicles from both public and private land" please.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/abandoned-vehicles-council-responsibilities

says :

Duty to remove abandoned vehicles

Councils and national park authorities (authorities) must remove abandoned vehicles from:

• land in the open air (including private land)
• roads (including private roads)

When removing a vehicle from land in the open air, authorities:

• cannot charge the landowner occupier
• must give the landowner or occupier 15 days’ notice that they propose to remove the vehicle
• cannot remove the vehicle if the landowner or occupier objects during the notice period

The 15 day notice period does not apply if the vehicle is abandoned on a road or highway.

Authorities do not have to remove an abandoned vehicle from land in the open air if the cost of moving it to the nearest highway is high (for example, special machinery is needed).

Authorities cannot be held liable for damage resulting from abandoned vehicles.

MeteredOut

MouldyOldDough said:

MeteredOut said:

user1977 said:

What’s the source for that?

100% ChatGPT or another AI

But, MouldyOldDough, since you are vouching for the output, can you reference your assertion that "[the council] are responsible for removing abandoned vehicles from both public and private land" please.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/abandoned-vehicles-council-responsibilities

says :

Duty to remove abandoned vehicles

Councils and national park authorities (authorities) must remove abandoned vehicles from:

• land in the open air (including private land)
• roads (including private roads)

When removing a vehicle from land in the open air, authorities:

• cannot charge the landowner occupier
• must give the landowner or occupier 15 days’ notice that they propose to remove the vehicle
• cannot remove the vehicle if the landowner or occupier objects during the notice period

The 15 day notice period does not apply if the vehicle is abandoned on a road or highway.

Authorities do not have to remove an abandoned vehicle from land in the open air if the cost of moving it to the nearest highway is high (for example, special machinery is needed).

Authorities cannot be held liable for damage resulting from abandoned vehicles.

Which is not quite what you said copied, which was:

"If a vehicle is dumped on your private property, the first step is to report it to your local council. They are responsible for removing abandoned vehicles from both public and private land."

That clear implies that a council is responsible for removing any vehicle dumped private property. That is not the case and is why you should never just copy and paste AI slop without pointing that out, so people know not to trust it.

Sea_Shell

Do we even know that this "van" IS a vehicle?

Not just a trailer.