Q: My landlord has left a car on my property after repeatedly saying hed move it (in writing). Can i take ownership of it?
Ive live in my house for over 10 months now. Since moving in i have asked my landlord repeatedly and he has agreed repeatedly, to remove his daughters car from my property and he has not. He is now complaining about us not weed-eating around the car, which we decided not to do, the last time we mowed, because he has yet to move it, even after saying he would multiple times. There is no written lease and all the the verbal lease consists of is that he will do maintenance and repairs and the rent is due on the 16th. The car was already an issue because of it being in my way and now with their complaints about the grass, I'm completely done with having to babysit this car. Its been over 60 days since the last time i requested they remove the car and they agreed to do so, within a week. The title is in the glove box. Can i sign it over to myself? Can I take ownership of this car at this point?
A:
No. You can write a letter; make a copy of it; send it by certified mail or hand deliver it. The letter should state that the issue with the car, give your landlord 30 days to move the car, and if the car is not moved you will begin to escrow your rent. In thirty days, take a copy of the letter to your local municipal court and establish a rent escrow account. Pay your monthly rent into the escrow account.
Eventually the Landlord will move the car and ask for the rent to be delivered to him. At that time you can ask the court to abate a portion of your rent as a result of the car issue.
1 user found this answer helpful
A: No, you cannot take ownership. It would be theft to forge the owner's signature on the car title. If you do not have a written lease, then the landlord can terminate your stay by giving you 30 days written notice, and then evict you if you don't vacate. An eviction is a permanent court record, and can make it difficult for you to rent from a landlord who checks the records. So if you take any action with the car, that could happen.
1 user found this answer helpful
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